We Must Grow Together

Day 20: Matthew 13:24-46

“Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, ‘Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” - Matthew 13:30 ESV

This passage covers one of the most difficult things we will face as Christians. How are we to obey Jesus when He said this about us, "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." (John 17:16)

Sure, we can insulate ourselves from those in the world, only hanging out with Christians who think the same as we do. Yet if we do this, how will we ever have the kind of influence we want to have on those who desperately need Jesus?

We must grow together, but at the same time, we don't go together.

What non-Christians are you currently avoiding that you need to be engaging? On the other hand, what non-Christians have you been engaging and allowing to influence you negatively?

This tension will always feel like it should: uncomfortable. If we are too confident either way, we probably aren't doing it right.

William Barclay also encourages us to think whole life when it comes to this parable: “Judgment had to wait until the harvest came. In the end, we will be judged, not by any single act or stage in our lives, but by our whole lives.”

Father, provide us with opportunities today to lovingly engage with those that have yet to say yes to Your Son, Jesus. We know we aren't of this world, but we also know we are in it for the purpose of helping turn weeds into wheat. In Jesus' name, Amen.