“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:6.

The Holy Spirit impressed this passage on my heart last week. In the academy, we have made a concentrated effort to present the gospel to the students in the beginning of the school year. From the first week of school in orientation until now, we have presented the gospel on numerous occasions. Pastor Autrey preached the good news of salvation the first week of school. Pastor Jose Ramon continued the theme in the second week. Last week, the Lord placed it on my heart to preach from Ephesians 2:8-10 regarding the relationship of works and salvation. I shared with the student body that many religions of the world today change the Biblical principle in the relationship of these two areas. They seek to perform good works in order to obtain salvation. I shared this truth with the students while reminding them that good works are to follow and show evidence of our salvation. At the end of the invitation, I encouraged the students to seek out myself or one of their teachers if they would like to accept Christ as their Savior. A few hours later, one of my high school Bible students came running up to me at her lunch break. Thinking that one of the students was causing problems for her, I asked her what was wrong. She reminded me of what I had said during the invitation, and she asked if she could get saved. Two of her friends then came alongside and told me that they would like to make this decision also. As Pastor Jose Ramon explained the gospel to them in their language, I watched as their faces demonstrated their understanding of the message and their need to apply it to their lives. I saw the Holy Spirit illuminate His Word and help them understand it. I observed as He used Jose’s explanation of the verses to drive home the need of salvation.  I listened as they prayed in their own language to Jesus Christ and asked Him to forgive them of their sins and be their Savior. I saw a change in their countenance and their joy as he told them there was rejoicing in Heaven over a sinner that repents. After they headed back to class, I sat at my desk and thought of this verse again. I had prayed that morning in my devotions that God would give the increase. God allows some to plant the seed of the gospel message. He gives the opportunity for others to water the seed and remind the hearer of the truth of His Word. But ultimately, He convicts their heart through His Word in ways that we never can, and He gives the increase through their faith in Him. We must do our part in planting the gospel message and watering this truth in their hearts. God will do His part in bringing forth the increase!