{"id":60985,"date":"2022-04-27T08:46:12","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T05:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=60985"},"modified":"2025-11-09T20:12:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T17:12:38","slug":"let-both-grow-together-until-the-harvest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2022\/04\/27\/let-both-grow-together-until-the-harvest\/","title":{"rendered":"LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST<\/strong><\/p>\n

Blessed be the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Author and Giver of Life. Welcome once again as we study the Word of God \u2014 the lamp to our feet and the light to our path (Psalm 119:105, NKJV).<\/p>\n

Have you ever wondered why God allows wicked people to prosper, even though they openly defy His name? Why does He permit evil to flourish in a world that belongs to Him? The Lord Jesus Himself gave us the answer through one of His parables:<\/p>\n

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The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Matthew 13:24\u201330 (KJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest<\/strong>: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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A Divine Mystery: Why God Allows Evil to Prosper<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pay close attention to verse 30 \u2014 \u201cLet both grow together until the harvest.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

This reveals a deep mystery in God\u2019s providence. God allows both the righteous (the wheat) and the wicked (the tares) to exist side by side in the same world \u2014 in the same nations, workplaces, and even within the visible church \u2014 until the appointed time of judgment.<\/p>\n

This coexistence is not a sign of God\u2019s indifference, but of His patience and justice<\/strong>. The Apostle Peter affirms this:<\/p>\n

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2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In other words, God\u2019s delay in judgment is not approval of sin, but mercy extended toward repentance. The \u201ctares\u201d are given time \u2014 not to remain wicked \u2014 but to turn to righteousness before the harvest (the final judgment).<\/p>\n

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The Temporary Prosperity of the Wicked<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We often wonder why the ungodly seem to flourish \u2014 why the unjust grow wealthy while the righteous suffer. Yet Scripture shows that this is only temporary prosperity<\/strong>, not eternal blessing.<\/p>\n

King David expressed this same struggle in<\/p>\n

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Psalm 73:2\u20135, 17\u201319 (NIV)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong…
till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

God allows the wicked to prosper so that His justice may be fully revealed in due time. Their flourishing is only to make their destruction evident, as David later wrote:<\/p>\n

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Psalm 92:7 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they may be destroyed forever.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Solomon also confirmed this truth:<\/p>\n

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Proverbs 1:32 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Misconceptions About Prosperity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In these last days, the devil has deceived many into believing that material wealth equals divine favor. People measure spiritual maturity by the abundance of possessions, quoting<\/p>\n

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3 John 1:2<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cBeloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

But this verse emphasizes spiritual prosperity first<\/strong> \u2014 \u201cas your soul prospers.\u201d Material success without holiness is meaningless. Jesus warned:<\/p>\n

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Luke 12:15 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one\u2019s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Many of the world\u2019s rich and powerful will find themselves condemned in eternity, while many of the poor who lived faithfully will inherit the kingdom of heaven (Luke 16:19\u201331<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

Therefore, worldly success is not the true standard of godliness<\/strong>. God Himself said, \u201cLet both grow together.\u201d<\/em> In other words, the righteous and the unrighteous will both receive rain, sunshine, and opportunities \u2014 but their eternal destinies will differ.<\/p>\n

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The True Measure of Acceptance: Holiness<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If prosperity is not the measure of being accepted by God, what is?<\/p>\n

The unchanging standard of divine approval is holiness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Holiness means separation from sin, devotion to God, and conformity to His character through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said:<\/p>\n

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Matthew 5:8 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Without holiness, no one will inherit eternal life \u2014 not the wealthy, not the religious, not even the charitable \u2014 for righteousness is not earned by deeds but through faith that produces obedience and purity.<\/p>\n

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A Call to Live Holy in an Unholy World<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is not the time to pursue worldly gain, but to pursue holiness and intimacy with God. Sin is what eternally separates man from His presence. The Apostle Paul warned:<\/p>\n

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Galatians 5:19\u201321 (KJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Lord is calling His people to be like the wheat \u2014 rooted, fruitful, and faithful \u2014 even while growing among the tares. The harvest is coming soon, when the angels will separate the righteous from the wicked (see Matthew 13:39\u201343<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Let us therefore not envy the wicked nor measure our lives by the standards of this world. Our reward is not found in temporary prosperity but in eternal life with Christ.<\/p>\n

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Romans 2:6\u20137 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

God \u201cwill render to each one according to his deeds\u201d: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Let us seek the holiness that prepares us for the harvest, that we may be gathered into the Master\u2019s barn \u2014 His eternal kingdom.<\/p>\n

Maranatha! The Lord is coming soon.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n