GOD CAUSES INCREASE "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God GAVE THE INCREASE. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that GIVETH THE INCREASE. " (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) PLANTING "The seed is the Word of God" (Luke 8:11). There is no spiritual increase without that seed! Nothing will be produced that is honored in heaven where the Word of God is not disseminated. As the Master Sower, Jesus "PREACHED the Word" unto the people (Mark 2:2). The Spirit of God was upon Him to "PREACH the Gospel to the poor," "PREACH deliverance to the captives," and "PREACH the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19). Following our Lord's example, the faithful planter is exhorted, 'Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Tim 4:2). A multiplicity of planters went out from Jerusalem when "they that were scattered abroad went every where PREACHING the word" (Acts 8:4). WATERING Kingdom increase requires watering -- nourishing the one in whose heart the Word of God has been planted. This involves "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation" (Acts 14:22). This is why Paul "went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches" (Acts 15:41). He was watering the seed, preparing it for increase. It is why Apollos "helped them much which had believed through grace" (Acts 18:27). He was watering the seed. -- Tomorrow:
The planter is the one who declares that Word with insight and power. The Word is planted in the hearts of men, and tends to pervade both thoughts and motives. The true planter leaves people thinking about what the Lord has said, particularly concerning the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Watering involves edification -- building up and strengthening the disciples in the faith. In edification, believers become more certain their names are written in heaven. Their understanding becomes fruitful, and they begin to "comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge" (Eph 3:18-19). Right here is where the contemporary church is particularly defective. There are not enough waterers!
"Increase" is not the mere inflation of numbers, particularly when such an increase is within the context of purely sectarian interests.
EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH CHRIST
Ultimately, all planting and all watering is designed to produce a secure and fruitful association with the Lord Jesus Christ. There will be no genuine increase apart from that association. God has called us into "the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9). Where that fellowship is neither initiated nor sustained, the increase God gives is not possible.
The "nothing" of which Jesus speaks pertains specifically to kingdom fruit, and generally to the expressions of life itself. No valid fruit is brought forth to God independently of the direct involvement of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What is more, it is possible to be "in" Christ, yet be removed because of unfruitfulness, or a lack of increase. Jesus said, "Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He (God) taketh away" (John 15:2). He further elaborated, "If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (John 15:6). And why is such a judgment rendered? Because there was no increase -- no fruit.
God does not cause increase indiscriminately. He gives the increase only where the Seed has been planted. He gives the increase only after the Seed has been watered. He causes increase only if the individual abides in Christ, and Christ abides in Him (John 15:5). That, dear child of God, is something that cannot be systematized.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I earnestly desire the increase You alone can cause. Grant me grace to submit to Your appointed means of the sowing and watering of Your Word.