Human Responses

Lk. 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."

God freely offers His saving words to any who hear and believe, but the human heart doesn't always know a good thing when it hears one. Jesus illustrated this concept in a parable where the seed was the Word of God, a seed that fell on many different soils. 
 
Some seed falls on the path where many people walk. Because of the foot traffic, it is trampled underfoot or picked up by the birds of the air. But Jesus said that in reality, Satan steals the seed from their hearts which shows his power as the prince of the power of this world. In this case, there is no human response at all. Neither the heart or the mind are touched. 
 
Then some seed falls on the rocks where it grows up for a moment, but withers because there is no water. Jesus explained that these were the people who receive the Word with joy but make no roots. When the testing comes, and it will, they fall away. Testing and suffering are true revealers of the heart condition. It is clear that these people believe only with their minds and are in the honeymoon phase. As long as everything is new and exciting, they are good, but when times get hard, they are out the door and on to the next new venue. 
 
Then some seed lands in the thorns where it is choked. Ouch! Jesus said that these chokers of spirituality are the cares, riches, and pleasures of life. Sadly, these same things often have a strangle hold on believers. Any  fruit that results from the seed never has a chance to mature. No wonder I Jn. 2:14-17 speaks so seriously about the effect of loving the world: the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride in possessions. These things kill the seed of the Word that brings life and healing.
 
Finally, some seed lands in the good soil and grows yielding fruit one hundredfold. The Word always produces fruit! These people hear the Word not just with their physical ears but with their hearts. They hold fast with all they have, with a heart united and passionate for God. Of necessity, they must bear fruit. Why with patience? Fruit bearing comes through testing and suffering. It comes from the intense heat of the sun coupled with the water of the Word. They must patiently wait for the Spirit of God to grow this fruit in them. How? Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bear much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. Nothing includes bearing fruit!
 
Thankfully, the Father drew me to Himself so that His seed could grow and flourish in my heart. Still I need to watch out for the cares, riches, and pleasures of this world. What a devastating hold they have! How stifling to the Spirit of God within me!
 
Father,
Keep my ears listening carefully and my heart responding honestly to Your Words so that Your Spirit can keep me fruitful and honoring to You.
In Jesus name,
Amen