What does grow, increase and escalate in our life?
Scripture reading: Genesis 4:1-16. Text: “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!'” Luke 17:5.
In medical science, the first step is to isolate a virus or bacteria and after that it is easier to find the right medication or cure. May we follow the same procedure — isolate or distinguish the concepts and then utilize what we have found for the benefit of our spiritual life.
TO GROW — TO INCREASE — TO ESCALATE. HOW DO THE MEANINGS OF THESE VERBS RELATE TO EACH OTHER?
The words GROW and INCREASE can be found in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, however, several translations, like the New International Version, do not mention the verb ESCALATE, yet its concept is there.
TO GROW means to develop toward maturity, to become bigger in size, quality or in number. It is a biological function, at times it is independent from us and is rather an act of Mother Nature in the course of time. A few examples:
— “And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground-trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.” Genesis 2:9/a.
— “And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men.” 1 Samuel 2:26. A similar statement was made about Jesus, please see Luke 2:52.
TO INCREASE — this verb indicates that the volume, strength or intensity is raised, such as when you make your TV set sound louder, you increase its volume. This action depends upon us, and a change can go both ways — increase and decrease. For an illustration please read:
— “Do not trust in extortion … though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” Psalm 62:10. Please see also Psalm 115:14 and 144:13.
— “The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,” Romans 5:20. See also 1 Thessalonians 3:12.
TO ESCALATE — we use this verb to express a direction to reach a higher level, to expand step by step or to elevate. Something may escalate with or without our input; it may be helpful or harmful. Often the change can be noticed only through its consequences, for instance when tension escalates. A good example for this is the relationship between Cain and Abel; the friction between them escalated to that level which made Cain kill his brother Abel. Please read the whole story in our Scripture reading.
TO GROW — TO INCREASE — TO ESCALATE AND OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.
God wants us to grow in the right direction and in the right proportion physically, mentally, spiritually and even financially. Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15, and also to the Corinthians, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6.
As in our garden, we cannot expect the flowers and vegetables just to grow, blossom and finally bring forth fruits without being cultivated. For this reason the apostles said to the Master: “… Increase our faith!” Luke 17:5. What are we willing to increase and at what expense for positive results? And are we willing to use our talents, time and efforts to decrease the negative forces? The chemists are eager to develop a fertilizer which is nutritious for the grass and poisonous for the weeds. Should not our faith act in like manner, that is increasing the chances for good and eliminating the possibilities for bad?
However, here is the world with all its bad ideas, ruinous influences and evil forces which are escalating. Who should and could counteract and destroy them? Also the escalating temptations, schemes and pitfalls of our daily life could negatively influence us. What is our defense?
What is your personal experience? What does grow, increase and escalate? If the message was clear then we can ask God to bless us so that the sweet fruits will grow, the favorable circumstances will be increased and the hostile escalating forces will be immobilized. For this reason we can join the apostles in asking our Lord to “Increase our faith.”
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.