Recently an image of an orange has been recurring in my mind and in my heart. I have discovered that an orange has 12 segments, and each segment may contain two seeds. Normally an orange will contain between 12 - 24 seeds. Each seed may produce a new orange tree given the right conditions of good soil, water and sunshine.
The questions is not how many seeds we may find in an orange, but rather how many trees or oranges we may find in a seed! This later question opens up a totally different perspective. Actually there is no end to the organic multiplication that can be started by one seed!
If we can compare every believer with the orange, we may say that every believer carries within himself many seeds, many new disciples, even new churches and living communities which can multiply endless times.
If we compare the local church with the orange, we may say that every church has enough seeds in itself to multiply into many new multiplying churches.
Jesus is saying in John 12 that unless a seed is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a single seed. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. If we let go of our self-existence as a seed, and allow the cross to work in our life to give up our external form, we may see new life been born, - resurrection life being multiplied in people and communities!
Numbers of disciples and churches are being multiplied all over the world today. We are hearing wonderful reports from every continent of the earth. The Spirit of God is moving. Some amazing things are happening.
I have just returned home from India. I have seen with my own eyes how the church of Christ is growing in numbers and multiplying. Some places the increase is slower than other places, but in every place I visited I had reports of new people coming to Christ and new churches being born into existence.
I am convinced that we will see the same thing happen in the West. I am fully committed to see it come to pass in Norway. The life of the divine seed in us is so powerful. God can do more than we can imagine through this life that is on the inside of us by the Holy Spirit.
