“And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” (Luke 8:14 KJV).
The Lord Jesus continues to unravel in this passage the story of the soil and the seeds that fall among thorns. The thorns symbolize the worries, wealth, and desires of worldly life that compete for a person's attention, resources and time. This is about those who somehow hear the Word of God but are spiritually choked by the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life, preventing their spiritual growth and preventing them from bearing mature fruit.
This refers to those with a heart that is distracted and overwhelmed by worldly concerns, which then prevent God's Word from taking root and developing fully into a real experience in their lives. With hearts hardened by Satan’s gadgets and merchandise, their ears are plugged with ‘bluetooth’ of worldly noises that drown the truth of God’s holy and written Words - the seeds that brings forth fruit of eternal provisions.
Satan’s worldly influences and enticements have a way of sidetracking people from hearing the Words of truth. Even the half siblings of the Lord Jesus in the flesh, not only they refused to listen to hear His message. They also tried to force Him to stop His teachings (Mark 3:20-21). Thankfully, with God's grace and patience, at least two of them, James and Jude, were identified later to have become leaders in the body of believers (Galatians 1:19; Jude 1:1).
As in regard to these people with soils identified by seeds that fell on the wayside, on the rock and among the thorns (Luke 8:12-14), these verses do not categorically describe to confirm their salvation. One wonders: Are the people represented by these hearts or soil saved? Perhaps they were at some point in their lives after hearing this parable. But, maybe not. That's not a thing to take chances on. It is, therefore, an alert not to disregard. The point is that they did not fully "[hear] the Word of truth, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with perseverance" (Luke 8:15). Truly, hearing is the key to believing. The Lord Jesus clearly declared: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:17-18 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
No comments:
Post a Comment