wheat and weeds

Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

"'An enemy did this,' he replied.

"The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

"'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"

- Matthew 13:24-30 (NIV)

are the days getting better? or are the days getting worse? as don carson pointed out at the living word seminar in july, the answer is both.

the weeds

to be sure, we live in a fallen world in which death, decay and destruction abound.

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." - Romans 8:22-23 (NIV)

the wheat

at the same time, God affords us glimpses of His glory in nature, relationships and life itself.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

this is why justification by faith is not about participating in the new creation only when we find ourselves in heaven, but about participating in the new creation on earth as it is in heaven. indeed, if we are not participating in the new creation on earth as it is in heaven, it is doubtful if we will even find ourselves in heaven. besides, christianity is not about getting to heaven, but about being in [a relationship with] Christ.

are the days getting better? or are the days getting worse? it really depends on who you ask, and it really depends on who you are.