Numbers 17:1-13 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,… Buds are evidence of life. A nominal Christian is like a dead trunk, and he cannot bud unless the sap of Divine grace courses through him. Spiritual life is an attribute of the converted Christian. The spiritual life of a being is his presiding sentiment or disposition — the chief inspiration of his soul — that which gives motion and character to his mental and moral being. I. LIFE IS A RESISTLESS FORCE. The smallest blade of grass that raises its tiny head into light, or the feeblest insect that sports in the sunbeam, displays a force superior to that which governs the ocean or controls the stars. Man stands erect, the tree rises, and the bird soars, because of life. II. LIFE IS AN APPROPRIATING FORCE. Vegetable and animal existences have a power of appropriating to themselves all surrounding elements conducive to their well-being, just as the life of the plant converts the various gases around it into nutriment to promote its strength and development. Wherever there is true religion, there is a power to render all external circumstances subservient to its own strength and growth; all things work together for its good. III. LIFE IS A PROPAGATING FORCE. It has "the seed in itself." Forests start from acorns, and boundless harvests from the solitary grain. It is said that the grateful Israelites, anxious to carry away a bud, a blossom, or almond as a memento of the occasion, the flowers and fruit on the rod were repeatedly and miraculously renewed for that purpose. Be that as it may, wherever there is religious life it will spread; it scatters broadcast the incorruptible seed which liveth and abideth for ever. IV. LIFE IS A BEAUTIFYING FORCE. There are two kinds of beauty — the sensational and the moral. Nature in her ten thousand forms of loveliness, and art in her exquisite expressions of taste, are ministries to the former, whilst spiritual truth, moral goodness, and the holiness of God address the latter. The one is the poetry of the eye and ear ; the other, of the soul. The beauty that appeals to the religious nature of man is the beauty of holiness — the beauty of the Lord — the glory of God in His goodness. V. LIFE IS A FRUCTIFYING FORCE. The true Christian not only lives and unfolds a noble disposition, but is really useful. St. Paul speaks of "the fruit of the Spirit" — righteousness, goodness, truth. The first, as opposed to all injustice and dishonesty; the second, as opposed to the ten thousand forms of selfishness; the third, as opposed to all that is erroneous and false in the doctrines and theories of men. (G. L. Saywell.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, |
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