Have you ever thought that a carnation could illustrate your journey with the Lord? The seed of a carnation is very small, and like all seeds you can't tell what they will become until you plant them and they bloom. In several of the Life-Studies of Romans Witness Lee uses this illustration to describe the process of glorification we all are undergoing. This one comes from page 571 in chapter 54:
I would like to continue with the illustration of a carnation seed. A carnation seed is designated, not by being labeled, but by being sown into the earth and by growing into a mature, blossoming plant. The seed is designated as it grows. The more it grows, the more it is designated. When it reaches full bloom, it will be designated in a complete way.... Like the carnation seed, we are all in the process of designation. The more we grow and are transformed, the more we are designated the sons of God (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Romans, Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1975, Print).
Everything about a carnation plant is encoded in the seed's DNA--its size, its shape, its color, etc. And like Romans 8:29 makes clear in the same way the Lord's life within us is encoded to sanctify, transform, and conform us until we are fully conformed to the Lord's image.
I don't know about you but sometimes I don't feel anything is happening. I need to be encouraged to see that God's life is still growing in me. In order to accomplish this, God constantly arranges all the people and things that happen to us so that we actually get conformed. Just like a carnation. It will happen. Just believe it.
You can listen to live portions of Witness Lee's sharing on the Life Study of Romans with helpful commentary on the Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.
Other Blogs on the Life Studies of Romans:
Why is Romans Called the Gospel of God?
What's the Connection Between Romans 4 and God's Calling of Abraham?
What is Sanctification in the Book of Romans?
Have You seen the Gospel in Romans 8:3?
Seeing God's Sovereignty in Romans 8:28
What Was Man Created For in Romans 9:21?
What is the Focus of Romans 12?
What Does Romans 14 Say About Receiving Believers & Why Does It Matter?
Have You Seen the Practical Church Life in Romans 16?
What are the Three Laws in Romans 7 & 8 All About?
What Does Being Saved in Life Mean in Romans 5:10?
How Do Carnations Illustrate a Believer's Glorification in Romans 8:30?
Why is God's Righteousness the Power of the Gospel in Romans 1:16-17?
From the Life Study of Roman - Why is God Triune?
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