Continuing with “Once saved always saved.” Christians are not supposed to live like unsaved people. Sin that was unheard of in the church a generation ago is now common place today. Churches claiming to be Evangelical have no moral conviction offering the right hand of fellowship to unmarried couples openly living together, practicing homosexuals, simply because they affirm their faith in Jesus.
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear" (Matt. 13:3-9).
In the parable of the sower the problem is not with the sower, the seed or the composition of the soil. The problem lies within the condition of the soil.
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart (Matt. 13:19).
Think of the heart of the hearer as the spiritual equivalent of the soil receiving a farmer’s seed. Four conditions of the heart:
1) Unresponsive Heart
This heart knows no repentance, no sorrow over sin, no guilt, and no concerns for the things of God. It is unresponsive, unconcerned, inattentive, indifferent, negligent, and often hostile towards the gospel.
2) Superficial Heart
This heart is enthusiastic but shallow. It responds positively but not with saving faith. There is no thought involved, no COUNTING THE COST. It is quick, emotional, euphoric, instant excitement without any understanding of the actual significance of discipleship. That is NOT genuine faith.
3) Worldly Heart
For a while they look just like the rest of the church. They come to church, identify with the people of God, even show signs of growth. But they never bear spiritual fruit. They are uncommitted and preoccupied with the world’s pleasures, money career, fame, fortune, or the lusts of the flesh. They claim to be Christian, but care nothing about a pure life.
4) Receptive Heart
As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty" (Matt. 13:23).
Fruit bearing is the ultimate test of salvation (Matt.7:17-20). If soil doesn’t produce a crop, it is worthless ground, symbolic of an unredeemed heart.
Good soil = Believer.
Weedy & Shallow soil = Pretenders.
Soil by the wayside = Rejecters.
Fruit, not foliage, is the mark of TRUE salvation.
You will recognize them by their fruits (Matt. 7:16)
About Me
- Lance Dustin
- I have been married to my wife and hero (Stage 4 Breast Cancer Survivor) Stacy for 23 years. We have raised three awesome son's. Together Stacy and I have learned that true love can ONLY be tested through time. True Love is tested through hardships, boredom, and pain. True love has to whether through life's busyness, while withstanding the pressures of Job, family, and home, middle and old age. You determine whether the LOVE you have is true over time. Respect each other,encourage each other, and serve each other minute by minute, hour by hour...As time alone will tell!
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