A verse that would accurately demonstrate the life of my earthly father, Dr. R.A.C. Paul, when he was with us in his earthly body is John 12:24. John 12:24 reads “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” In fact, the biography of his and my mother’s pioneering work, which has touched the lives of many, was originally written in Tamil, and entitled “Neelathil Vilundha Godumai Mani” which by interpretation means “The Fallen Corn of Wheat”. It is now translated into English and entitled “Pioneering on the pinda.” When my dad was alive as a missionary, there was little that he personally saw, as the fruit of his labor for the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, but since his departure to be with the Lord on September 30, 1986, there are many churches that stand firm today, which reflect as a testament to his faithfulness to the call. Truly God has given the increase, though my dad, Dr. Paul planted and/or watered.
Jesus came so he could draw all men to himself and bring many sons to glory (John 12:32, Hebrews 2:10). The demand of Christ for all Christians today is accurately stated in John 12:24 and is quite simple. We ought to die to live and bring life to many! He who is alive to themselves abides alone. He that is willing to die to sin and self, brings forth many fruit. Our lives need to be the seed that first dies and when watered by the Holy Spirit, germinates into a sapling that grows in the fear of the Lord and in the appointed time blossoms into a heavenly flower, so that others who see us as a beautiful and glorious flower in God’s garden, will glorify God THE gardener.
John 12:24 (KJV)
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
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