PARTAKER OF THE FRUITS. 2nd Timothy 2:6 Hardworking farmers are dedicated to diligent labor day after day, trusting that their efforts will yield more than what they plant. They understand the principle of sowing and reaping: when we sow, we reap; we reap what we sow; we reaping more than we sow. Confident that this principle is reliable, they get up early while it is still dark, work hard all day, and continue working late into the night, even when the work becomes difficult. Their hope for a harvest is firm, grounded in faith, and they know they must do all they can and then patiently wait for God to bring the increase.
In our service to our Lord, we must not hold back from putting in every effort to do what is required in our calling. We must do what we do “as unto the Lord” and not unto man. Our work prepares the ground for the seed of the word of God. We must remove the stones of skepticism, ignorance, antagonism, agnosticism, and carelessness by any means necessary. Preaching, teaching, personal conversations, written materials, personal testimony, and consistent Christian living are methods we can use to prepare hearts to receive the life-giving message of salvation by the grace of God.
The “husbandman" gets up early, often before dawn, to complete the work he's called to do. He is to “husband” (care for) what has been entrusted to him so others who depend on the results of his labor can get what they need. The outcomes of his effort, dedication, and self-sacrifice bring lasting benefits to many.
He spends hours each day preparing the land for seeds so they can thrive and produce a harvest of vital resources people need to survive. Others sleep in late, resting peacefully in bed until the sun's light awakens them, while the faithful farmer is wet with dew in the darkness, knowing his work is essential for future blessings. Sleepers and city dwellers don’t see what the husbandman sees: a hidden harvest in the field that won't yield its bounty without his steady effort.
Nothing lasting is achieved until the farmer, in every way, has worked hard in heat and cold, sun and rain, dark times and light, and then before the Life-Giver has knelt to pray and dedicate the efforts he has used to the One who gives life. He prays to the One who promised that seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will not cease. The diligent farmer understands that all of these conditions are necessary to produce a harvest, and his dedicated labor is the key to bringing it out of the ground where it lies in God’s fullness.
Every hardworking farmer rises early, works diligently, and does everything he can, day after day, with patience. He completes his tasks quietly, and very few people see the effort he puts in before the harvest is collected. To enjoy the benefits of the harvest, he must work hard in the fields. Often, the farmer goes without sleep and works until he's exhausted. It is during the labor before the harvest that he suffers the most and cannot ease his efforts. The farmer must work diligently, long and hard, to produce a successful harvest. Preparing the ground requires much more labor than harvesting. Seeding involves a personal expense; cultivating the crop demands long hours of seemingly pointless work. He understands that he does not produce the harvest—God does that. But he prepares the soil, cares for, and watches over the field, doing all he can to ensure a good harvest. His "labor is not in vain." When the harvest is finally gathered, even though it takes little time, those who have patiently worked in hope will rejoice in their effort and their trust in God’s mercy. The Lord Jesus Christ came to earth in human form and worked as a man. He understood that hard effort, suffering, and physical pain were necessary to give life more abundantly to those at risk of losing their souls forever. Provision has been made for everyone, and those who hear and accept his call and share in the results of His work will live with Him forever.
We also have to endure opposition's pain as we remove the sharp thorns of ungodly living and warn people about judgment for sin and the final consequences of not accepting God's word. The thistles of false doctrine not only prick the conscience but can cause long-lasting pain when they take root. The roots of thistles can spread far from the original source. We must expose and condemn false religion that claims to influence those who want God and still desire to sin.