More from the Garden Part Three
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:11-15 (ESV)
In yesterday’s Freedom Fighter I told you about “The Wayside Condition” where the heavy traffic of everyday life can drive that good seed into the ground or allow it to be devoured by the birds of the air. And then we took a look at what happens when the seed lands on rocks and gravel where the seed cannot reach it’s taproot to the Living Waters. Today we will take a look at the other two “soil” conditions.
So what of the seed that fell among the thorn bushes? We have a soil that can grow some stuff…along with the vines that could bear fruit. So what could be implied here is that we have people today that start off with hearing the Good News and making that outward commitment but they may be selective on their weeding. Or maybe it’s because people get all excited with their daily living that that “feel good” influence blends with the Word. Or maybe they are becoming so involved in being depressed with the events that go wrong in their daily living.
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Gal 6:7-8 (ESV) We all know this verse all too well don’t we but what if we mixed this part, “for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” with one of those modern statements like, “That which does not kill me only serves to make me stronger.” now let’s put the two together, “So remember you reap what you sow and if it don’t kill you it makes you strong.” Sounds like one of them new fangled statements those motivational speakers whip out on people. And if we are saying this to ourselves as well we will get the wrong harvest out of God’s Word won’t we? We become the ones who choke the out the vines of God’s Word.
And let’s be mindful of those dangerous and mischievous thorns known as the “pleasures of this life”. Even the so-called “lawful delights” can serve to ruin the soul when they have been over indulged. Demas will forever be remembered as being the one who deserted Paul for his love of the world after he heard the Good News and was put to the test. “And the seeds that fell in the weeds-well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.” (Luke 8:14) The Message)
Tomorrow we will be where most Christians hope they are…the good soil!! But today take a moment to reflect on what you are being intentionally or unintentionally choked by. What thorns are poking you in the side? Are they the ones that produce grace? And what are you letting grow alongside the True Vine? Does it bring a harvest of Good Fruit? -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:11-15 (ESV)
In yesterday’s Freedom Fighter I told you about “The Wayside Condition” where the heavy traffic of everyday life can drive that good seed into the ground or allow it to be devoured by the birds of the air. And then we took a look at what happens when the seed lands on rocks and gravel where the seed cannot reach it’s taproot to the Living Waters. Today we will take a look at the other two “soil” conditions.
So what of the seed that fell among the thorn bushes? We have a soil that can grow some stuff…along with the vines that could bear fruit. So what could be implied here is that we have people today that start off with hearing the Good News and making that outward commitment but they may be selective on their weeding. Or maybe it’s because people get all excited with their daily living that that “feel good” influence blends with the Word. Or maybe they are becoming so involved in being depressed with the events that go wrong in their daily living.
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Gal 6:7-8 (ESV) We all know this verse all too well don’t we but what if we mixed this part, “for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” with one of those modern statements like, “That which does not kill me only serves to make me stronger.” now let’s put the two together, “So remember you reap what you sow and if it don’t kill you it makes you strong.” Sounds like one of them new fangled statements those motivational speakers whip out on people. And if we are saying this to ourselves as well we will get the wrong harvest out of God’s Word won’t we? We become the ones who choke the out the vines of God’s Word.
And let’s be mindful of those dangerous and mischievous thorns known as the “pleasures of this life”. Even the so-called “lawful delights” can serve to ruin the soul when they have been over indulged. Demas will forever be remembered as being the one who deserted Paul for his love of the world after he heard the Good News and was put to the test. “And the seeds that fell in the weeds-well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.” (Luke 8:14) The Message)
Tomorrow we will be where most Christians hope they are…the good soil!! But today take a moment to reflect on what you are being intentionally or unintentionally choked by. What thorns are poking you in the side? Are they the ones that produce grace? And what are you letting grow alongside the True Vine? Does it bring a harvest of Good Fruit? -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter
Digging Deeper: Proverbs 16; Nehemiah 4-6; Acts 2:22-47
Dig This Quote: “What happened? Was Demas simply tired, and he decided to retire? Did he feel compelled to serve God on the field? Both options seem implausible, given Paul’s words. Demas “deserted” Paul. His reason for doing so was that he “loved this present world.” Demas stood with Paul through his first imprisonment, and one would hope that now, approximately four years later, he would remain with his traveling companion, but he did not. He left. Not for spiritual reasons and not for familial emergencies. He deserted Paul. His faith was a “fair weather” variety. These types of Christians are “ministers of misery,” and they can exhaust you beyond recognition.” Why Churches Die Mac Brunson & Ergun Caner
Dig This Quote: “What happened? Was Demas simply tired, and he decided to retire? Did he feel compelled to serve God on the field? Both options seem implausible, given Paul’s words. Demas “deserted” Paul. His reason for doing so was that he “loved this present world.” Demas stood with Paul through his first imprisonment, and one would hope that now, approximately four years later, he would remain with his traveling companion, but he did not. He left. Not for spiritual reasons and not for familial emergencies. He deserted Paul. His faith was a “fair weather” variety. These types of Christians are “ministers of misery,” and they can exhaust you beyond recognition.” Why Churches Die Mac Brunson & Ergun Caner
Determined Digging: Level 1: Proverbs 16:7; Level 2: Psalm 92-1-4
No comments:
Post a Comment