A Case of Mistaken Identity

Charlock                                                 oilseed rape

I live near fields of oilseed rape. You can't miss the vibrant yellow swathes of flowers, robust, starting to pod. I noticed when I was driving along the main road, tall yellow plants, apparently escapees from the crop. I thought how persistent that seed must be that it can flourish on stony outcrops in the road: as though the buildings and roads could not diminish it's  survival under any conditions: not so, however. These plants growing singly and away from the field are impostors. They look hard to distinguish from the main crop, but they are in fact, called Charlock. Even the seeds are similar in both plants.  Often only scrutiny of the plants side by side, the Charlock and the oilseed rape, can reveal the true identity of each. The Charlock is a very invasive weed, also known as field mustard, and can damage the value of the crop by undermining the quality of the true seed. This weed also produces two kinds of seed, a darker brown seed and a lighter brown; the lighter brown tends to take root straight away, but the darker seed it produces, can lie dormant, bursting into life at a later date, and so avoid detection in the initial weeding out. The plant needs to be removed by decapitation, or burning, before the seeds have time to drop. The Charlock's ability to reseed itself, and swarm through the crop, cheapening the seed it produces, is like a metaphor for sin, ruining lives.

Hebrews 6:7,8

Land that drinks in rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful for those for whom it is farmed receives a blessing from God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

 I remember once making a promise to God that I would start the day with quiet time, reading the bible and spending time in prayer. However, whilst making breakfast, I would start reading the newspaper and I would get so drawn in to the gossip, and headlines, that my original plan never happened. I even said I would only look at the cover, that too was so distracting, that the quiet time never happened. I really had to steel myself to only read the paper when I got in from work. 

As Christians repentance before the cross is a key part of our faith; but it is the innocuous activities that can lead to greater problems. For years I did not want to be too different to anyone else, in case they thought I was a stuffy, lack lustre, God squad member. This wanting to fit in is a tricky path to follow: but God knows, and waits patiently for our eyes to be fully fixed on Him. We need to be careful of the company we keep so as not to expose our thinking to sinful attitudes. We know that Jesus was a friend of all sinners, but he kept company with them, fully assured of who he was. Now I pray before I go out, that the Lord will give me the key to open doors for Him; in random meetings, casual conversations; I try to be alert to how He might use me. 

Galatians 3:22

But the scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

I had two people come to my house, with a leaflet, with a picture of Jesus with open arms, preaching; there were a few quotes from the Bible on it too. They started to talk about having faith in Jesus. I explained that I was already a Christian believer. Strangely though, they went on trying to convince me. I asked them if they were Jehovah's Witnesses. They did not give a yes or no answer, but said, well yes, we do believe in Jesus. Then one of them blurted out, but we do not believe that he is the Son of God. There was a hiatus of silence, a pregnant pause, and then they turned and left. No other words were necessary, as he had explained the fundamental difference between what we both believed. Why, I wondered did they promote Jesus and the Bible in their literature, when they knew that what they believed was so different about his work and teaching. It reminded me of the Charlock plant; it looked almost the same until you examined it closely.

Revelation 22:19

If anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Are there any innocent looking 'weeds' creeping into your life? At work, our colleagues will make coarse jokes, swear or pass on e-mails that you would rather not read. Our walk with God is not to have a 'holier than thou attitude', or be in any way judgmental, we will leave that to God; we need to be in the world, but not part of it, assured of who we are in Christ.  

1John 3:9,10

No-one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

... Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

God's Word, the scriptures have been planted into each one of us, like seeds, those seeds need light and water to grow. Our reading of biblical truths is the food for our spiritual growth, and will allow our outlook on life, to be Christ-like as we find our identity, the person Christ intended us to be, before we knew what it was to sin. 

Luke 6:44,45

Each tree is recognised by its fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored  in his heart, the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. 

As our attitudes and thoughts are aligned with His will, so we may produce an abundant crop of good works:  enabled to show His love to the lost and broken-hearted. Our motivation will not be sprinkled with the seeds of doubt or insecurity; but we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit's leading, in loving the unloved people, those cast aside by society, for they are our true neighbours and whom Jesus also weeps over.