Seed and Soil

What kind of seed are you and what kind of soil have you been planted in?  Think of a farmer sowing seeds in bible times, putting his hand in a big bag of seeds that was slung over his shoulder and scattering the seeds in his field randomly, not in a straight line like farmers do today.  When sowing his seed he would undoubtedly throw some seeds on rocky places and other seeds on thorny, weedy places.  Some seed would even fall by the wayside, but some seed would also fall on good soil.

Are you the seed that fell on the stony, rocky soil, where you received the Word with gladness but lacked the root system to endure when persecution and affliction came upon you, so you gave up?  Maybe you’re the seed that fell on thorny places and the desires of the world, the lust of things of the world and the pursuit of riches came in and choked out the Word and you have become unfruitful.  Or, are you the seed that fell by the wayside where the Word was sown but the evil one came along and snatched it away before it could take root?  Do you ever consider these things when people fall away from the faith?  

Not every person that goes to the altar and says the sinner’s prayer is truly saved.  I believe there are many people that think they are saved but they are not.  Consider what the Word says about false prophets, pastors or teachers.  It says that you will know them by their fruits along with other things in Matthew 7:15-20, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

This is talking about those who are purposely teaching false doctrine.  It was common for some prophets in Old Testament times to claim they were speaking God’s Word but they were only telling the King and the people what they wanted to hear.  Question: does that still go on today?  I know we don’t have a king, but think about it, I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to figure that out.

What did Jesus say about some people who thought they were going to spend eternity with Him?  Read this in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

In that day, Jesus will expose those that have the form of religion but lack the power within.  Jesus never knew these people personally, they just sounded religious but their actions didn’t back up their words.  We need to be very careful that we are not just talking the talk but we are walking the walk.  When it is all said and done, only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will spend eternity with the Lord, not those who profess the Lord and honor Him with their lips only while their hearts are far from Him.

This isn’t a message to scare people but to warn them before it is too late.  Jesus is coming back and, by the signs it may not be long, so if you are reading this and you are not sure where you stand with the Lord and you are being convicted by this message, it may be the Holy Spirit trying to get your attention.  Remember we were all born with a sin nature and that is what has separated us from the Lord but, praise God, He has provided a way that we can be reconciled to Him, which is good news.

Get down on your knees in reverence to the Lord and pray and ask the Lord to forgive you for your sins and to come into your heart, to be your Lord and Savior, don’t be in a hurry, spend time and pray through, let the Lord’s peace and joy fill your very being and walk on victorious.  Then go and share what you have done with others, don’t be ashamed to share your experience.  Seek the Lord for the church He would want you to attend, get a Bible and start studying it and spending time with the Lord daily.

Something to think about and don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord. Have a super day and may the Lord bless you and yours.