{"id":1948,"date":"2022-08-07T14:00:47","date_gmt":"2022-08-07T19:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/biblicalpath.com\/?p=1948"},"modified":"2022-08-07T14:00:47","modified_gmt":"2022-08-07T19:00:47","slug":"god-gives-the-increase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/biblicalpath.com\/index.php\/2022\/08\/07\/god-gives-the-increase\/","title":{"rendered":"God Gives the Increase"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u201cSo then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.\u201d<\/strong>
1 Corinthians 3:7 <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Paul, the Apostle, understood the importance of the message he was to\ndeliver: Jesus, God\u2019s Son, lived a perfect life, died on the cross paying for\nman\u2019s sin, and rose again the third day. This was a message the world did not,\nand could not understand. It is a mystery to them. \u201c7. But we speak the\nwisdom of God in a mystery, even<\/em> the hidden wisdom<\/em>, which God ordained\nbefore the world unto our glory: 8. Which none of the princes of this world\nknew: for had they known it<\/em>, they would not have crucified the Lord of\nglory<\/strong>\u201d (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). If the people in Jesus\u2019 time had understood\nthat Jesus had come to deliver them from sin, they never would have crucified\nHim. Paul wanted Believers to understand that their job was simply to preach\nthis Gospel message, and God<\/em><\/strong> would reveal Himself to the\nindividual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If God\u2019s church would operate under this system, simply preaching and\nteaching Jesus, see what is promised. \u201cBut as it is written, Eye hath not\nseen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things\nwhich God hath prepared for them that love him<\/strong>\u201d (1 Corinthians 2:9). If\nGod\u2019s people (Christians) would simply present the Gospel message, God would\nreveal Himself; and Christians could never even imagine what He will do.\nRemember when Peter first preached Jesus on the day of Pentecost \u2013 three\nthousand were saved on that day (see Acts 2:41).  In addition, just a few days later, he\npreached again and five thousand were saved (see Acts 4:4). In every city Paul\nentered, he preached Jesus, and many people believed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did God want to reveal such mighty things\nto us? \u201c12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the\nspirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to\nus of God. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom\nteacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with\nspiritual. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of\nGod: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them<\/em>,\nbecause they are spiritually discerned<\/strong>\u201d (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). Remember that once a person is saved (becomes a\nChristian) that they have a new nature (God\u2019s Spirit). God gave His Spirit, \u201cthat\nwe might know the things that are freely given to us of God.<\/strong>\u201d God will then\nteach each Christian exactly how to live a life pleasing to Him (as one reads\nGod\u2019s Word, and listens to godly teaching). People, who do not know Jesus, do\nnot understand why Christians want to go to church, or revival, or even read\nthe Bible, as they learn how to live a Christian life \u2013 for \u201cthey are\nfoolishness unto him.<\/strong>\u201d Non-Christians cannot understand these things \u201cbecause\nthey are spiritually discerned.<\/strong>\u201d Christians have a different nature.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul understood that the Believers in the\nchurch at Corinth had not grown in\nmaturity in Christ as they should have, so he reprimanded them. \u201c1. And I,\nbrethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even<\/em>\nas unto babes in Christ. 2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for\nhitherto ye were not able to bear it<\/em>, neither yet now are ye able. 3.\nFor ye are yet carnal\u2026<\/strong>\u201d (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Because they had not yet\nlearned how to live a Christian life, they were still \u201ccarnal<\/strong>\u201d (carnal<\/strong> means \u201cweakness; frailty; of persons being worldly<\/em>\u201d). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul then explained to them the importance of\ndifferent teachers and workers. \u201c5. Who then is Paul, and who is<\/em>\nApollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?\n6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7. So then\nneither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that\ngiveth the increase<\/strong>\u201d (1 Corinthians 3:5-7).  Some workers plant the seed (plant<\/strong> means \u201cto be the first to preach the gospel in a place<\/em>\u201d), another may water (watered<\/strong> means \u201cto water, irrigate; used metaphorically of instruction<\/em>\u201d), but only God gives the increase (gave the increase<\/strong> means \u201cto grow, increase, or add something<\/em>\u201d).\nOnly God saves people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c8. Now he that planteth and he that\nwatereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his\nown labour \u2026 10. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a\nwise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.\nBut let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11. For other foundation\ncan no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ<\/strong>\u201d (1 Corinthians\n3:8-11). Each Christian is supposed to plant and water \u2013 for we are all to tell\nothers about Jesus. We are to be a \u201cwise masterbuilder<\/strong>\u201d \u2013 just like Paul\nwas. Wise masterbuilder<\/strong> means \u201ca skillful, expert workman or builder; an\narchitect<\/em>.\u201d But most importantly, the foundation must be Jesus (foundation<\/strong> means \u201cthe elementary doctrine and instruction; fundamental doctrine or\nprinciple \u2013 which is Christ<\/em>\u201d). The Gospel message of Jesus must be taught\nfirst in order for anyone to be saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you plant or water, sharing the Gospel message of Jesus to others?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to be Saved<\/a><\/blockquote>