THEME: THE GREAT HARVEST
LESSON: Ten
TOPIC: From Old to New (Part 2): The Path to Maturity and Readiness for Harvest
TEXT: 2 Peter 1:5–10; 1 Peter 4:7–8; Matthew 13:37–43; Galatians 5:22–25
MEMORY TRACK:
By God’s grace, we saw from the last lesson that the journey from old to new is marked by interruptions—moments where God steps in and breaks the natural flow of life to redirect us toward His eternal purpose (John 21:18). If a believer is never interrupted, such a saint needs to check if they are spiritually asleep. Divine interruption is proof of divine love. From salvation (regeneration) to salvation (transformation of the soul) and ultimately full and complete redemption (eternal salvation), the journey is filled with interruptions that shape the soul from old to new to all and finally to the realm ONLY (2Corinthians 5:17).
In order to profit from God’s interruptions, we were admonished to obey quickly and fully (Hebrews 3:15), let go of the old man (Ephesians 4:22–24), and submit to the renewal process (Romans 12:2).
GROWTH IS NOT AUTOMATIC
The journey from old to new does not end at new birth—it requires intentional, diligent, and disciplined growth – out of dependency and confidence in the flesh to total reliance on the spirit. From the seed of faith planted at salvation, Heaven expects fruits. Every level of the meal of heaven is capped by bearing fruit. It is fruitfulness that qualifies a soul for pruning to bear more fruit.
THE CALL TO DILIGENT ATTENTION TO GROWTH
When we are born again, a seed is planted in us. The regenerated human spirit is the first planting of the Lord in the being called man. This “seed” is expected to bear the fruit of faith in the Lord Jesus and Love towards all the saints as the first level of fruitfulness in the soul.
From here, the soul is qualified to receive the seed of the kingdom (Matthew 13:23; Eph 1:15-18). 2 Peter 1:5–7 outlines a divine growth ladder—beginning with faith and culminating in charity (love). This growth is not passive. Believers are commanded to give diligence to this process (2 Peter 1:10). Each stage builds upon the previous, shaping a life that reflects Christ’s nature and readiness for His return.
LOVE: THE PROOF OF MATURITY
Every level of harvest culminates in love. Whether it be from milk to meat or strong meat, they all start with the seed of faith and arrive at the nature of love. Love is the peak of maturity and the hallmark of harvest readiness.
- At the level of the milk, love for all the saints (Eph 1:15) is indicative of growth from a babe to a child in Christ.
- At the level of the meat of the word, Charity reflects Christ’s Nature (1 Cor 13:4-8). When love becomes the
believer’s way of life, it signals that Christ has been fully formed in them.
- Even at the level of the strong meat or the learning of everlasting life, love of the brethren is a key sign of fruit bearing or harvest at this level (1 John 3:10-12; 1 John 4:7-8).
Love is the Final Virtue on the Ladder – the culmination. Everything before it leads to it.
THE URGENCY OF THE END
1 Peter 4:7: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer”.
The nearness of the end demands a shift from casual Christianity to urgent spiritual readiness for harvest. This is not a season to be complacent but to accelerate growth, awaken from slumber, and live intentionally. Only those who endure in maturity unto fruitfulness will be gathered into the barn (Matthew 13:30).
CONCLUSION:
Just as the journey from old to new begins with a divine interruption, it must continue with deliberate growth toward maturity. Charity (love) is not an emotion; it is a mark of readiness. Without it, we are not fit for the harvest. It is time to quicken our pace. The end is near! From interruption to instruction, from new birth to salvation, let love be your proof of transformation. Amen.