The very first mandate God gave to the husband and wife was: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
If God believes in fruitfulness and multiplication, so should we. When God gave these words to Adam and Eve, He spoke of the natural and physical. Anyone with an honest mindset must agree.
There are some who argue that God is only interested in spiritual fruitfulness and multiplication, such as John 15:16 where Jesus spoke primarily regarding spiritual fruitfulness.
However, to argue that we do not need to be naturally fruitful to produce a world full of spiritual fruit is plain, straight, ridiculous. God wants fathers and mothers who are spiritually fruitful to bring forth natural sons and daughters. He wants them to raise them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord to multiply spiritual fruitfulness that will influence the whole world—every nation, every city, every village, every home, and every individual.
It is for this purpose God has called and mandated every husband and wife to be fruitful and multiply, both naturally and spiritually. The more children we permit God to give us, the greater potential we have as parents to influence the world for righteousness. We cannot increase righteousness if there is no one created to receive it. As we teach and train our children in the ways of the Lord, the whole earth will be filled with His glory (Numbers 14:21).
Those who call themselves Christians, and yet have no vision to increase and multiply sons and daughters, obviously have no vision to see the world influenced with the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 15:46 tells us: “First which is natural . . . and afterward that which is spiritual.”
Do we believe in God’s Word or our own understanding?
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
Picture: Howard and Evangeline Johnson and their ten children.