1 Corinthians 3:6-9 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
In the fertile soil of 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (ESV), the apostle Paul paints a vivid picture of the Christian journey using the timeless imagery of agriculture. Each implement used in farming becomes a profound symbol of spiritual truth, guiding believers through the stages of growth, nurturing, and harvest in their walk with Christ and their work in the field. I have put forth a few of the tools used in farming as examples of how we are used in the Master’s work. Each tool has a unique purpose as each believer has a unique personality. Our goal is to be available for His use in generating a tremendous harvest for His glory and our reward.
Plow: Breaking New Ground
“Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.” (Hosea 10:12 ESV)
Just as a plow breaks through the hardened soil, the law can convict and break our hardened hearts, preparing us for the reception of God’s Word. When we allow the truth of God’s law to penetrate our lives, it exposes areas of sin and prepares us to receive the seeds of God’s grace and truth. Jesus always gave law to the proud and grace to the humble. It is impossible for seed to produce when it falls on hard ground. The plow of God’s word, especially His law with loosen the hard heart.
Planting: Seeds of Faith
“The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it.” (Luke 8:5 ESV)
The planting of seeds represents the initial steps of faith, where believers receive and embrace the Word of God. It is important to note that the sower is broadcasting seed. Believers are called to sow seeds of faith through sharing the Gospel and living out our faith in word and deed. Just as a farmer carefully selects and plants seeds in fertile soil, we are called to share the message of Christ with wisdom and discernment, trusting in God to bring forth the growth. It is however important to remember that we may be sowing where someone has plowed before. We must therefore be sensitive to the ever present guide of the Holy Spirit as we go into the field.
Watering: Nurturing Growth
“And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:3 ESV)
Watering is essential for the growth and development of crops, just as nurturing and discipleship are crucial for the spiritual growth of believers. The Holy Spirit serves as the living water that nourishes and sustains our spiritual lives. Through prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and obedience to God’s Word, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, bringing forth spiritual growth and maturity. In our text Apollos watered, as we too are watering. It is impossible to water with an empty vessel. We go into the field full of the Holy Spirit, the living water.
Cultivating Holiness
James 1:21 (ESV): “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James exhorts believers to rid themselves of moral filth and wickedness and to receive God’s Word with meekness and humility. By doing so, they allow the Word of God to take root in their hearts and transform their lives.
His words illustrate the ongoing work of cultivation and tending to the spiritual life, removing weeds of sin and fostering a life of holiness. As believers, we are called to cultivate holiness in our lives through obedience to God’s commands and reliance on His grace. Just as a gardener diligently tends to their garden, we must continually examine our hearts, uprooting sin and cultivating virtues such as love, patience, and humility.
Harvesting or Reaping: Bearing Fruit
“They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.” (Isaiah 65:21 ESV)
Psalm 126:6 (ESV) “He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
This verse is a beautiful expression of the cycle of sowing and reaping, illustrating the journey of the believer in faith. It acknowledges the trials and challenges faced in the process of sowing seeds of faith but assures that those who faithfully sow will ultimately reap a harvest of joy and blessing. As believers, we may face seasons of weeping and hardship as we sow seeds of the Gospel, but we can trust that God will bring about a harvest of joy and celebration in His timing.
The ultimate goal of farming is the harvest, where the fruits of labor are gathered. Similarly, believers are called to bear fruit in their lives, reflecting the character of Christ and impacting the world around us. Grace allows for the harvest, as it is through God’s unmerited favor and empowerment that we bear fruit. As we abide in Christ and yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can expect to see the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV).
In the journey of faith, we labor together with God, recognizing that only He can bring forth the increase. As we allow the law to break hard ground, the Holy Spirit to bring water, and grace to bring the harvest, we partner with God in His work of transformation and redemption. Let us embrace our roles as fellow workers with God, trusting in His power and provision as we sow and reap for His kingdom. B
