Are You Allowing GOD to Mature You? (check your obedience)
While the phrase "one man plants, another waters" is a famous Biblical reference 1 Corinthians 3:6-7. The verse concludes by stating that ONLY GOD makes things grow. The Ephesians 4 offices of service to the LORD GOD requires a LOT of those people. Even the systematic and orderly actions of the person on/in whom the Spirit of the Lord places His Gifts of the Spirit’s Abilities come with great responsibility and an enormous amount of obedience.
Sadly, we humans range from being irresponsible in the roles of the Call Assignment, to downright disobedient to the manner in how we are to operate under His Leading, Instruction and Teaching.
In the properly viewed, understood and applied original context, planting and watering represent human efforts (like teaching or hard work), but in the Biblical world, that phrase "one-man plants, another waters, but GOD gives the growth" carries much of Covenant meaning, identity, and relational trust.
The "Increase" (growth) is attributed solely to GOD, pointing out that while human collaboration is necessary, the ultimate result is beyond human control.
Being obedient to GOD is a process! Scripture never treats it as a switch you flip. It’s a formational journey, call it training, shaping, a development. When we see it through that lens, the whole Bible suddenly becomes one long story of GOD patiently forming a people who learn to walk with Him.
Obedience begins as a seed. No one starts fully mature. Our journey of faithful service begins with— “yes,” willingness, a seed of trust, our surrender and the desire to align with GOD’s Ways. Beginnings matter! Everything…Every beginning starts somewhere — but they are never the whole story.
NOTE: Just like every seed is real, but it is not yet a tree of apples that will eventually produce an orchard. It starts with the obedience to plan the seed, water it and GOD will ensure it is nurtured and cultivated—which allows Him time to cause it to grow into maturity.
Who will plant? Will it be you? Will it be me? Planting could be considered and/or seen as initiating the much-required obedience. The “planting of the Seed” is a valuable representation in Scripture for sharing the GOD News of the Word of GOD to the starving and hungry. It is essential for the eventual nurturing of faith. It requires a receptive heart, humility, and a willingness to sow even in uncertain conditions.
Planting in a place that seems unlikely to produce any life may seem silly and a poor waste of GOD’s Seed, but we are not to act like we have a clue, because we do not. We only need to plant the Seed. Isaac’s act of planting in barren soil, trusting GOD’s promise, produced a hundredfold harvest in Genesis 26:12-13. This illustrates that obedience in planting is not about the outcome but about trusting GOD to bring the increase. This principle applies to every area of life — spiritual, relational, and practical. If you and I sow to the flesh, you and I reap corruption; if you and I sow to the Spirit, we will reap eternal life—Galatians 6:7–9
Planting is never passive. It’s costly, intentional, and future‑oriented. If your role is a farmer, planting the yearly crop is risky. You are trusting the unseen, because you are acting before results appear.
NOTE: Obedience starts small, but it is alive.
What can GOD do with a person/people who learn to walk with Him? How could He form me (James), if I am a man who is fully committed to Him? If I am to be that man, I need to realize "the efforts of obedience I submit to the GOD of Truth, allows Him the space and freedom to trust me with the growth He will bring.”
I am only at the beginning of the threshold to understand what GOD can do with someone who walks with Him. When a person walks with GOD, Scripture shows him the need to be stable and steady in the journey. Consistency seems like such a long way off. Is GOD entrusting me with His work, His thoughts and plans, His Authority, and His Presence?
GOD forming my character is painful, but I need the cracks, chips and marring fixed, so He can shape me with:
integrity
courage
humility
discernment
compassion
steadiness under pressure
I KNOW that walking with GOD produces a certain kind of man. That man would be one who reflects GOD’s nature. I know that I am on His Wheel being worked and splashed with His Water.
Why would watering count as obedience? It is not just about receiving a Command and following it without question, but about doing the task faithfully and persistently. The servants’ work of filling the pots in Cana was a form of service that lined up with Jesus’ will. It required discipline, trust, and submission to His direction — all those attributes are characteristics of obedience. In the same way, in everyday life, intentional choices like watering plants, following through with completing chores, or consistently applying spiritual disciplines can be seen as acts of obedience, even if they seem small.
If you view watering as part of a larger obedience, consistency and faithfulness pattern, and done in trust, it becomes more than a routine task; it becomes a form of worship and preparation for GOD’s work in your life. Just as the servants’ labor made the wine possible, your obedience in everyday duties can make the “miracle” of GOD’s provision, growth, or transformation possible.
Watering seeds is more than a gardening act, it is a largely symbolic picture for nurturing intentions, beliefs, and bigger picture purposes—built with consistent care and patience. Watering seed mirrors the idea of required obedience because it demands that we follow instructions, maintain discipline, and remain faithful to the process, even when results are not immediately visible.
Just as a seed needs water to activate its dormant potential, obedience to GOD’s Word (Seed) or life’s purpose is the “water” that awakens spiritual growth. Hebrews 11:1 reminds me (maybe you too) that faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” and obedience is the daily act of trusting and applying that faith. I can see how obedience is as nourishment for my life with Yeshua.
Let’s end this by returning to the beginning of this offering. Ephesians 4 shows that GOD’s call is not only about having a gift—it is about walking in a worthy manner, staying in unity, and letting Christ’s gifts equip the whole Body so that GOD brings maturity (increase). The question is not merely “Am I called?” but “Am I being formed, made straight, and faithful in the process?”
Have you noticed that before Paul discusses offices or gifts, he starts with character? The calling is carried by a “walk,” which is a daily pattern. When these seeds were placed in you and I, have we allowed the Spirit of GOD to water for the growth we need?
Do we humbly submit our preferences and reputation to GOD’s purposes?
Do we gently use strength under control?
How much patience do we steadily exercise while GOD grows us?
Have you kept covenant-minded relationships? You know… bearing with one another in love
Are you NO LONGER eager to maintain unity, to protect the bond of peace—foregoing and refusing rivalry and comparison?
“Properly fulfilling the call of GOD, according to Ephesians 4:1-16” is necessary. There must be order:
Walk worthy first (v.1–3) with humility, gentleness, patience, love, protecting unity
Unity foundations (v.4–6) is the “one body/one Spirit/one LORD…”
Christ as the Source of the Gift (v.7–10) means stewardship, not competition
Equipping offices (v.11–12) comprises apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers—given to equip the saints (not replace them)
The “Goal” is (v.13–16) unity, maturity, stability, truth-in-love growth where “each part works”
WARNING SIGNS: When the “Gift” becomes a personal brand, and when people are controlled instead of equipped, and when character is ignored, or when unity is sacrificed for influence—then the calling is being carried in a way Ephesians 4 does not bless.