What do these verses below mean for you and I?
“God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply.'” Genesis 1:28
“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” 2 Timothy 2:2.
In the opening two chapters of Genesis, we’re reminded of 2 creation principles.
Principal number 1 – God created a world in which all that he created had the capacity to reproduce and multiply. Plants and trees, fish and birds, animals, and ultimately humankind were endowed with the ability to reproduce and multiply. In fact, not just the capacity to do this – by a God-given mandate to do this. God blessed his creation and mandated it to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth.
Principal number 2 – You reproduce and multiply according to what you are, and who you are. Plants and trees reproduce according to their seed. Fish, birds, and animals reproduce according to their kind. Humanity reproduces humanity. There is a creation principle that we reproduce according to the seed. You reap what you sow.
When you say YES to Jesus and invite him into your life, Jesus’ life becomes like a seed that is planted in your life. And if you stay close to him. If you walk with Him. If you remain surrendered to Him, then Jesus’ life will be reproduced in your life which means your life will grow in love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Your life will grow in healing and wholeness, strength and comfort, vision and destiny, life and light.
Jesus wants to reproduce His life in us. That’s what it means to be a follower and disciple of Jesus. That we are becoming more like Him.
But Jesus doesn’t just want to reproduce His life in us, He wants to reproduce His life through us.
Your life is a seed. God has planted you in His world. He has planted you amongst people – family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, gym buddies, coffee mates – even enemies and strangers.
And as you own that reality, let’s remember again those two creation principles.
1: Your life will reproduce something in the life of others
You will bring influence and impact into the lives of other people. You will grow something. You will reproduce something. It’s a creation principle. Your life carries and creates an atmosphere. There’s no avoiding that!
2: What you produce will be in accordance with what you are, how you are, and who you are
So here’s a question to chew over: Are we living in such a way that we positively, wonderfully, and undeniably impact the lives of other people? Is the room better when you’re in it, because of the atmosphere you carry?
We are created and called by God to see the wonderful life of Jesus reproduce in others who – as Paul says to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:2 – will go on to do the same. Disciples making disciples.
So here’s a great prayer to regularly pray as we embrace this God-given responsibility.
Lord Jesus, by your Spirit, reproduce your beautiful life in my life, and then help me reproduce that same beautiful life in others, who will go on to do the same. Amen.
