IBS 11 - LUKE 8:11-15

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 

I have heard of this parable many times. I don’t ever actually remember ever sitting and looking at it. But it has been so eye opening. 

The seed is the Word. 

Those by the wayside hear it but don’t ever act on it. It seems to be one of these, in one ear out the other. The enemy sees the opportunity and aides in the hardening of their hearts to the Gospel and salvation. He takes it away, makes it foolish to them, and blinds them to the knowledge of the precious salvation in Christ. Those on the rock, seem to have it. They seem to understand and they come to know “ happy “. It is shallow. No depth. No real understanding, and they build themselves on the sand. As soon as the wind blows or the water rises they fall. They lack true understanding of who God is and the power of a His word. They are all about the feeling, the emotion. They might even fool themselves, but they are lacking true depth and knowledge of the word of God. Temptation will and does easily lead them astray. For they have no solid foundation upon which to stay. Those that fall among the thorns hear, and maybe even start to understand. But they never surrender it all. They are still led away by their love for the world. They might grasp at some of the knowledge, but they lack fruit. They still have sin within their hearts that prevents them from producing fruit. They are overwhelmed with a desire for this world and “ everything “ it has to offer. They believe it will satisfy, or fulfill them.  But really they lack the most precious thing. The ones on the good soil bear fruit with patience. They heard the word and have good noble hearts. Producing fruit with patience. It reminds me of how long it can take to bear fruit. But God is working, even those who are good soil still fail. All good soil took time to get there. By tilling and the Sower softening it and making it soil that could bring life. Through patience their fruit is produced. Their fruit is being pruned to help in keeping it healthy and helping with growth. It’s not easy, it doesn’t always feel good. But God. They have chosen the better thing. They will be with their Father all of eternity. They will bear fruit. And they will be able to place the crown right back at His feet because they will know anything good was not from them. But from His spirit.

Application - I will write “ bear fruit with patience “ on my arm to remind myself throughout the day of the on going work His is doing in me. Gabbi will keep me accountable.