Gardening is an enjoyable summer activity. However, it is also demanding. There is always some type of work to be done. Gardening is a labor of love. Previously, I mentioned 3 words associated with gardening. Seed – feed – weed. Last week we dug into planting seeds. This week we will do some required feeding. Once again, we will think about both earthly gardens and spiritual gardens. We are gardeners of the soil. God is the Gardener of our souls.
Seeds have sprouted. Plants are prevalent. Now growth requires nourishment.
Rain has watered our planted seeds and prevented them from shriveling and dying. Sunshine has helped the seedlings to sprout and push their way above the ground. But, more is needed.
Plants need food to grow. Their form of food is fertilizer. Fertilizer is a natural or synthetic compound applied either to the soil or directly upon the plants to improve growth and productivity. Potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen are major nutrients. Bags of fertilizer are purchased at garden stores. Then the nutrients must be sprinkled or sprayed upon the plants.
So much for our botanical lesson. Now we progress to the garden of our heart.
II Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” When we accept Christ as our Savior, we become new creations – new plantings that need to grow.
We are provided spiritual water and sunshine.
Rain is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Lord declares in Isaiah 44:3, “I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants.” Isaiah 45:8 declares, “You heavens above, rain down My righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it; I, the LORD, have created it.”
Our sunshine comes from the Son of God. Hebrews 1:3 says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.” John 3:16 proclaims “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Like the flowers in our outdoor gardens, we still need more. We need spiritual fertilizer.
The Bible is our bag of spiritual fertilizer. The proper nutrients are contained within it. Jesus says in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” However, we must do more than just read and know the scriptures. We must liberally apply them to our lives for new growth.
Colossians 3:16 NKJV portrays spiritual fertilizer. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” Job and the Psalmist give us examples of how to apply our spiritual nutrients. Job 22:22 NKJV says, “Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, And lay up His words in your heart.” Psalm 119:11 declares, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”
The parable of the sower is recorded in Matthew 13:1-9. Verse 8 says, “Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.” The soil the Lord is talking about is the soil of our hearts. The productive soil of the soul had been properly fertilized supernaturally.
Botanical plants grow in gardens of the ground. Spiritual plants grow in the gardens of our hearts. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit that grows within us. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” While it is summertime, we enjoy the produce of earthly gardens. The fruit of the Spirit is available year round to all who live by the Spirit according to Galatians 5:16.
An Apple of Gold 