Page 132 - Radical Love by Linda Robinson_FEB2025
P. 132

RADICAL LOVE



          and shows us that no matter what may come against us—He is greater

          than any great trial, deeper than any bottomless pit, and higher than any
          high mountain of opposition.


          This serves to increase our faith so that the defeats of yesterday become
          the victories of our tomorrows.


          Watchman Nee wrote these words:


          “In John 12:24 (NRSV) the Lord said: “Very truly, I tell you, unless a
          grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single

          grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Life is in the grain. However,
          there is a shell around the outside of the grain, a mighty shell. As long

          as this shell does not break open, the grain cannot grow. ‘Unless the
          grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies.’


          What is this death? It is the action of the temperature and moisture of

          the earth upon the grain that results in the breaking of the shell. When
          the shell breaks, the grain grows. Therefore, it is not a matter of whether

          the grain has life within it, but whether the outer shell is broken.


          The very following verses in John say: ‘Anyone who loves their life
          will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it

          for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am,
          my servant will also be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.”


          According to the Lord, the outer shell is our own self-life, and this is
          what has to die for the life of the Spirit to be released. Our very being




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