“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15 KJV).
This passage is the final unpacking of the Lord’s Parable of the Sower and the soils, where the Sower is God, the seeds being scattered represent God's Words and the soils represent varying human heart's responses to it. The "good soil" symbolizes the heart that is receptive, understands the message, and allows it to grow into a thriving life despite the challenges, yet ultimately bearing much fruit.
The parable is also giving a very important warning that whatever seed we allow to be scattered in our heart, it will sprout and grow if it is fed. Bad seed (word), as with good seed of God's Words, entering our heart if fed, will sprout and grow to bear its fruit - bad fruit or good fruit. The Spirit of God's Word sown in our heart and fed by the Word of God bears fruit of life. Bad word sown in the heart and fed by the staples of the flesh and the world brings forth death (Romans 8:6-8).
Earlier verses tackle the soils which represent the other different types of human hearts.
The Ground on Pathways which represent those who hear the Words but don't understand or accept it, allow evil influences, and the devil snatches the Words away. They're those who hear the Words but not seeking for it, or seek it for the wrong reasons.
The Rocky Ground which represents those who joyfully receive the Words but lack moisture hindering the Words to gain deep roots, hence fall away when faced and confronted by the trials of life. They're those who socially hear the Words just to be accepted by family, friends and acquaintances.
The Thorny Ground which represents those who hear the Words but are choked by the worries, pleasures, and riches of worldly life, hence hinder the Words from growing to maturity. They're those who hear the Words but are primarily clutching closely and tightly the offerings of the world.
Now in this passage, the Lord Jesus Christ talks about the Good Soil which represents those who eagerly receive the Words and keep it, hence "with perseverance, produces much crop". They're those who seek the Words, receive and build a life on its foundation through faith in the Word who is Christ Jesus our Lord (John 1:1).
The features of good soil reflect a heart that truly seeks God to hear, to receive and to stand on His Words to thrive. It is the heart of the person, who is the “branch” attached to the Vine. That person is you and I, the moment we believe and totally depend in our Lord Jesus Christ. This, the Lord Jesus declares: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 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.
Earlier verses tackle the soils which represent the other different types of human hearts.
The Ground on Pathways which represent those who hear the Words but don't understand or accept it, allow evil influences, and the devil snatches the Words away. They're those who hear the Words but not seeking for it, or seek it for the wrong reasons.
The Rocky Ground which represents those who joyfully receive the Words but lack moisture hindering the Words to gain deep roots, hence fall away when faced and confronted by the trials of life. They're those who socially hear the Words just to be accepted by family, friends and acquaintances.
The Thorny Ground which represents those who hear the Words but are choked by the worries, pleasures, and riches of worldly life, hence hinder the Words from growing to maturity. They're those who hear the Words but are primarily clutching closely and tightly the offerings of the world.
Now in this passage, the Lord Jesus Christ talks about the Good Soil which represents those who eagerly receive the Words and keep it, hence "with perseverance, produces much crop". They're those who seek the Words, receive and build a life on its foundation through faith in the Word who is Christ Jesus our Lord (John 1:1).
The features of good soil reflect a heart that truly seeks God to hear, to receive and to stand on His Words to thrive. It is the heart of the person, who is the “branch” attached to the Vine. That person is you and I, the moment we believe and totally depend in our Lord Jesus Christ. This, the Lord Jesus declares: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 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.
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