"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn't have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."
(Matthew 13: 3-9)
(Matthew 13: 3-9)
Hello, Mrs. Kurtz.
Your blog post helped me take a critical look at what type of soil/seed I am (as well as others around me). Matthew 13:3-9 is very metaphorical, but I think it perfectly describes the types of people who receive God's Word.
The seeds that fall on the footpath represent people who are completely unwilling to listen or understand Christianity. They have closed themselves off to the point that they are no longer receptive.
The seeds that fall on shallow, rocky soil are people who receive God's Word but aren't deeply "rooted" in it enough because their faith is shallow, and when temptations or "rocks" cross their path, they lose to temptation.
The thorny ground symbolizes people who are too wrapped up in their sinful lives, and hold that above their faith. They may hear God's call and understand it, but they are unwilling to abandon their old life in pursuit of God.
Then the "real" Christian is the one that allows the plants to grow.
The scary thing about this parable is that it makes it very clear that the only true Christian is the one that grows and produces fruit of their salvation. All the rest are not saved. I am very concerned that my salvation is not evident enough (or hasn't changed me enough), which makes me worry that I am not saved. I have this very same concern with some loved ones of mine as well.
My main realization after studying this text is that a relationship with God that does not start to change who you are and how you think (or act) is not a real relationship of someone who is saved. I have to figure out if I'm growing as a Christian.
Dear friend,
Yes, the evidence of a Christian is growth. However, how do we measure that growth in ourselves? in others? What is the growth that is inferred here?
When I was still in my teens I talked with my pastor, concerned about the salvation of a dear loved one. How do I know? What do I use as a measure? I can't remember all that he said that day, but I remember the Scripture that he gave me:
"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart'." (1 Samuel 16:7 -- remember, always read the entire context)
It was not a complete answer to my question; in truth, neither he nor I knew, nor could we. However, the One who knows is the Lord. Then, what could I do?
I chose this path:
John 13:34-35 "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples."
Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father".
1 Peter 2:9-12 "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light. 'Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy.' Dear friends, I warn you as 'temporary residents and foreigners' to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world."
I continue to pray for you!
Heavenly Father, We want to grow in You, and we want our saved loved ones and friends to grow in You as well. Only You know their souls' condition. We ask You to draw them to Yourself; for salvation, if they do not yet know You, and for nurturing and growth if they do. Will You work in us, to be like You, and to point others to You?
Your blog post helped me take a critical look at what type of soil/seed I am (as well as others around me). Matthew 13:3-9 is very metaphorical, but I think it perfectly describes the types of people who receive God's Word.
The seeds that fall on the footpath represent people who are completely unwilling to listen or understand Christianity. They have closed themselves off to the point that they are no longer receptive.
The seeds that fall on shallow, rocky soil are people who receive God's Word but aren't deeply "rooted" in it enough because their faith is shallow, and when temptations or "rocks" cross their path, they lose to temptation.
The thorny ground symbolizes people who are too wrapped up in their sinful lives, and hold that above their faith. They may hear God's call and understand it, but they are unwilling to abandon their old life in pursuit of God.
Then the "real" Christian is the one that allows the plants to grow.
The scary thing about this parable is that it makes it very clear that the only true Christian is the one that grows and produces fruit of their salvation. All the rest are not saved. I am very concerned that my salvation is not evident enough (or hasn't changed me enough), which makes me worry that I am not saved. I have this very same concern with some loved ones of mine as well.
My main realization after studying this text is that a relationship with God that does not start to change who you are and how you think (or act) is not a real relationship of someone who is saved. I have to figure out if I'm growing as a Christian.
Dear friend,
Yes, the evidence of a Christian is growth. However, how do we measure that growth in ourselves? in others? What is the growth that is inferred here?
When I was still in my teens I talked with my pastor, concerned about the salvation of a dear loved one. How do I know? What do I use as a measure? I can't remember all that he said that day, but I remember the Scripture that he gave me:
"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart'." (1 Samuel 16:7 -- remember, always read the entire context)
It was not a complete answer to my question; in truth, neither he nor I knew, nor could we. However, the One who knows is the Lord. Then, what could I do?
I chose this path:
- be a living witness (words, attitudes, actions, choices, apologies) to those around me,
- pray for the Lord to work on their hearts, using me and/or others,
- grow in the Lord, that others might see Christ in me.
John 13:34-35 "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples."
Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father".
1 Peter 2:9-12 "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light. 'Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy.' Dear friends, I warn you as 'temporary residents and foreigners' to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world."
- How can we pray (for ourselves and others) regarding our growth? What role does God play in our growth?
- Do all seeds grow at the same rate?
- In what ways can we ensure that the soil of our souls is fertile for growth?
- Would others be able to tell that we are believers?
- What things are NOT necessarily indicators that someone is a Christian? (by way of explanation: does attending church mean that someone is a Christian?)
- In what ways might you be able to encourage growth in others?
- Does Micah 6:8 connect in any way to our discussion?
I continue to pray for you!
Heavenly Father, We want to grow in You, and we want our saved loved ones and friends to grow in You as well. Only You know their souls' condition. We ask You to draw them to Yourself; for salvation, if they do not yet know You, and for nurturing and growth if they do. Will You work in us, to be like You, and to point others to You?
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