Hosanna Restoration Church

Just like all of God’s Word, this scripture was good news when it was written and remains good news today. It is a word that Amos was given by God. God was telling him that He was watching Israel. Previously He had shown Amos a plumbline, and anyone who crossed the line was no longer going to receive mercy…but thankfully the sifting was not going to last forever, and God assured Amos that not one true kernel would be lost. Not one God loving, God fearing, person would be lost. Not only that, but God promised that a time was coming when there would be such an abundance that the harvest would run right up to the time of planting. This looks like another good incentive to be a true kernel.

So what constitutes a true kernel? Can we work to earn true kernel status? Well, I have to be honest and say I think I know at least in part, and I don’t think so. God determines who are true kernels, and what we do is a fruit of what we are. We do not work to get kernel status, it is a gift from God when we call on the name of Jesus. So maybe I do know what makes us a true kernel. The Word says that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved. But then it also says that we must call in sincerity and truth. So we are back to the fact that only God can decide who is sincere and truthful. That is good news too. I would not want the judging to be left to me or to anyone else for that matter.

If it were left to us, we would have mess. Actually we do have a mess. On one hand we have people who think everyone goes to heaven no matter how they may live, others think only their group can get in, and there is everything in between those opinions. So, am I trying to give good news or just confuse us all.

I think it is really this simple. If we love God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and we love one another we are true kernels. Only God is capable of perfect love, so we may not do it all right all the time, but if we sincerely try and allow the Lord to work on us, God will make a way for us. In Revelation 3 when God speaks to the church at Philadelphia He says “I know you aren’t strong, but you have tried to obey and have not denied my Name. Therefore I have opened a door to you that no one can shut.”

Do you love God? Are you willing to seek Him and to be transformed as the Word renews your mind? If so, you will not be lost. Not only that, but you will be in the abundance that God has promised. That is good news too. God has a plan to specially treat His kernels for superior yields. On our own, we can really do nothing, but with Christ we can do all things. If we allow Him, we will be amazed at the fruit He can produce from trees we would give up on.