Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Philippians 3:12-14
Whether we choose carousing and revelry, as Isaiah warned, or cultivating the “good seed,” the law of continuity shapes our moral and spiritual characters. What I am today, I will more abundantly be tomorrow. The tenacious power of habit solidifies actions into customs. Today is the child of yesterday and the parent of tomorrow.
That grave certainty of the continuance and increase of moral and spiritual characteristics works both to the good and to the bad, but with a serious difference. To secure its full blessing in the gradual development of the nature of good, there must be constant effort and purposed tenacious resolution. So many stumbling blocks line the path of laying down the good seed in our hearts. Just look at what Jesus referenced to His disciples and apply that to our own hearts. (see Matthew 13:3-9; Mark 4:3-9; Luke 8:5-8). With all the seed being sown in our fertile spirit, if we trust to the natural laws of growth and neglect careful husbandry, we might sow much but we will only gather little. Yet to inherit the full consequences of that same law working in the growth and development of the evil that is sown, nothing more is needed but carelessness and apathy. Leave bad seed alone for a year or two and “the fruitful field is counted as [will be] a forest,” (Isaiah 32:15), a jungle of matted weeds, with a straggling blossom where cultivation could have been.
However, if humbly we resolve and earnestly work and yield, looking for the Lord’s help, we can hope in His promise that our characters will grow in goodness and in likeness to our dear Lord, that each new day shall find in us a deeper love, a more consecration, a more joyful service, so that in all the beauties of the Christian soul and in all the blessings of the Christian life, “Tomorrow will be as today, and much more abundant.”
“For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance” (see Matthew 13:12; 25:29; Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18; 19:26).
“The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18).
So, we may look forward with confidence and assurance on the certainty that we will continue to push forward towards the likeness of Christ in our lives as the Holy Spirit molds and shapes our character, despite the advance of evil around us. Fleeting moments of concerns, and even regrets, may come and go. However, time and habit, cultivating the “good seed” will bring us closer to the goal for which we run this race.
We don’t need to dwell any longer on the truth that the same law of the continuity and development of character works in some men to there demise. God has told us that even though His desire is that none should perish, man, by his own carelessness, or neglect will choose to find their own misguided ways to salvation (see 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9). By slow, imperceptible, certain degrees the evil gains and blinds men not willing to open their eyes to the light. Sadly, without persistence and resolve to do any different, yesterday’s sin smooths the path for today’s. Once temptation is yielded to it ultimately gains power. Once temptation is appeased, it becomes to surrender to it in any future instance. Peter denied the Lord three times, and each time more easily than the previous time (see Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:55-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27).
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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