“And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold…But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundred fold.” Mark 4:8,20
January 19, 2024
As you think of your of your heart as soil on which the word of the King falls, take encouragement from the possibility of a fruitful and productive life as a kingdom disciple. The four different kinds of soil are not telling us that only one out of four hearers go to heaven. Our aspiration should be to guard our hearts. Don’t let anything interfere with a life of a receptive spirit to the demands of Jesus. The degree of productivity, loyalty, and obedience will result in varying amounts of fruitfulness. God sovereignly determines the gifts we have and the lives we influence for Christ. Though there are varying degrees of fruitfulness, the soil is still called “good.” What is being produced in your life? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, others who are drawn to Christ through you? Seek God to make you a good hearer of the word, eager to understand what you hear, and long for a harvest of good works for the glory of God.
H
“O Lord of the Harvest, I pray that your holy word will lay bare my heart. Keep me from self-deception lest the weeds of unbelief take over and distractions hinder by usefulness to you. Thank you for the fruitfulness of life that you will enable me to experience by your grace.”