Our characters change when we become children of God. The Bible speaks of this change as a birth. It also says it is like the growth of good seed planted by a farmer. Those who have just learned to love Christ are said to be “like newborn babies.” 1 Peter 2:2. They will grow up to be men and women in Christ Jesus. Like the good seed planted in the field, they are to grow and bear fruit. Isaiah says that the children of God “will be like trees that the Lord himself has planted. They will all do what is right, and God will be praised for what he has done.” Isaiah 61:3. God brings us many lessons from natural life to help us understand spiritual truths.

No matter how wise people are, they cannot give life to even the smallest plant or animal. Only God can give life. In the same way only God can give spiritual life to people. A person must be “born again.” John 3:3. We cannot receive the life that Christ gives until we are born again. God gives life, and then He makes things grow. He makes the flowers bloom and the fruit grow from the flowers. By His power seeds form in the fruit—“first the tender stalk appears, then the head, and finally the head full of grain.” Mark 4:28.

The prophet Hosea said of Israel, “They will blossom like flowers.... They will grow crops of grain and be fruitful like a vineyard.” Hosea 14:5-7. Jesus tells us to “look how the wild flowers grow.” Luke 12:27. The plants grow only by receiving what God gives them. They do not take care of themselves or worry or work. A child cannot make himself taller by his own power or by worrying. Neither can we grow in our spiritual life by worrying or working in our own strength. The plant and the child grow by receiving what they need—air, sunshine, and food. As these gifts of nature meet the needs of plants and animals, so Christ also meets the needs of those who trust in Him.

Christ is compared with many of the blessings of nature. He is the “eternal light.” Isaiah 60:19. He is “a sun and a shield.” Psalm 84:11, KJV. He is like “rain in a dry land” (Hosea 14:5), like rain on the fields.” Psalm 72:6. He is the living water and “the bread of God... which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.” John 6:33, RSV.

God gave a wonderful gift to the world—His Son. This unequaled gift has circled the world with grace, like the air, which is everywhere. It is as real as the air we breathe. If we choose to receive this life-giving grace of Christ, we will live and grow up to become men and women in Christ Jesus. The flower turns to the sun to receive its bright rays. The light helps the flower become beautiful and perfect. So we should turn to Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. Heaven’s light will then shine upon us, and our characters will grow into His likeness. Jesus teaches us this lesson when He says, “Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine.... You can do nothing without me.” John 15:4, 5. We must depend on Christ in order to live a holy life, just as branches depend on the vine for growth. Apart from Him we have no life. Away from Him we will have no power to fight against sin or to grow in grace and holiness. But when we live in Him, we grow and bear fruit. We will be like a tree planted by a river.

Many people think that they must do some part of the work alone. They trust Christ to forgive their sins, then they try to live a good life by their own strength. But they are sure to fail. Jesus says, “You can do nothing without me.”

Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness—all depend on our oneness with Christ. We grow in grace by spending time with Him, day by day, hour by hour. He not only creates our faith but He makes it perfect. Christ must be first, last, and always. He is to be with us not only at the beginning and the end of our lives, but at every step of the way. David said, “I am always aware of the Lord’s presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me.” Psalm 16:8.

Do you ask, “How am I to live in Christ?” Live in Him in the same way you first received Him. “Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him.” Colossians 2:6. “My righteous people... will believe and live.” Hebrews 10:38. You gave yourself to God to belong fully to Him, to serve and obey Him. You took Christ as your Saviour. You could not by yourself take away your sins or change your heart. But having given yourself to God, you believed that, for Christ’s sake, He did all this for you. You became Christ’s by faith, and you are to grow up in Him by faith. Faith calls for giving and taking. Give all to Him—your heart, your mind, your work. Give yourself to Him to obey all that He asks you to do. And you must take all. Take Christ, the blessed One, to live in your heart. Take Him to be your Strength, your Righteousness, and your Helper forever. He will give you power to obey. Give yourself fully to God every morning. Make this your very first work. Let this be your prayer: “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Yours. I lay all my plans at Your feet. Use me today in Your service. Live with me, and let all my work be done to honor You.” Every morning give yourself to God for that day. Put all your plans before Him, then carry out these plans or give them up as He guides. In this way you may give your life day by day into the hands of God. Your life will be made more and more like the life of Christ. 

Steps to Jesus Ch. 8