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Can you imagine a seedling refusing to grow? It seems to odd to picture a plant which has decided it had grown enough and is happy with its current condition. Growing is what plants do, and it would be unnatural for them to do anything else.
Along the same line of oddity is the Christian who has decided that they don’t need to grow anymore. When God remakes men and women into Christians, they are made to grow, just like plants. Our refusal to do so is just as unnatural as a cherry tree that refuses to blossom or a corn stalk that refuses to stretch out toward the sky.
If the corn were to refuse its trek toward the heavens, or if the cherry tree were to refuse to fruit, what good would they be to the farmer or orchard owner? At first, the tree may be pruned or supplements given to the corn. At first, great care may be given to revive the plants’ interest in growth and fruit. But how long will the farmer continue to focus on the one stalk while there are others reaching toward the heavens? How long will the orchard owner focus on the one, obstinate twig while there are other, fruitful trees that need care?
Each soul on earth is important God, and he has done amazing things to save mankind from sin. However, every person must make an individual choice to accept God’s offer of grace and mercy in Christ. Likewise, God has done amazing things to ensure our growth after we are converted to Christ. Yet, he will not force us to grow just as the farmer will not force the corn or the cherry tree.
Eventually, the corn will be uprooted and the tree cut down. They are useless if they will not grow. Do we have the audacity to suppose that the Heavenly Vinedresser would treat his plants any differently? Spiritual growth is not optional; we must reach toward the heavens with all our might or be uprooted with the useless corn.
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