As for That in Good Soil…

“’A sower went out to sow his seed… And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold…’

“[Jesus] said, ‘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.” Luke 8:5a,8a,10-15

The seed was good, potent, fruit-worthy. Jesus teaches kingdom secrets to His disciples so they will understand the deep applications of His word taking root. Focus on the soil, on how and where and why you receive My word, then what you do with it. Day in, day out, Jesus offered the good word to be received and nurtured in good hearts, and ultimately expressed.

When the truth of God is sown into receptive soil, great things happen. Those who eagerly listen and take it in hold it fast. They cling to its promises, heed its warnings and commands, are informed by its doctrines, take comfort in its strength, and rejoice in its songs. Their honesty comes clean in confession, and makes right where they’ve wronged. They partake regularly, systematically applying it to life situations, enduring training, and submitting to sanctification. Patiently they grow and are transformed, becoming more and more Christlike. Gradually, bountifully, beautiful fruit is borne.

Is our soil condition is honest and good? Do we read or listen as rote exercise, or with genuine humility, desiring its correction, instruction, and life-change? Do we feed on snippets of people’s commentary, or ask the Lord to speak directly from the inspired scripture? How we interact with the Bible reveals our heart condition. (Psalm 86:11; Isaiah 50:4; 2 Timothy 3:16)

Another worthy indicator is to consider spiritual fruit issuing forth. Do we just tick off good works for public notice but without heart, or are our deeds in response to God’s word making an eternal difference? Rich, lasting fruit identifies us as God’s children. (Luke 6:43-45; 8:21)

What steps can we take to prepare the soil of our hearts and minds for the best work of God’s word? What stones of sin habit, gnarled bad attitudes, pebbles of pesky resistance and rebellion need we remove? How can we ready ourselves with humility, honesty, holy desire? And where will we this day commit to bear fruit? (Romans 12:1-2)

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room,
and heav’n and nature sing.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
far as the curse is found.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Lord, tend the soil of my heart daily that Your word take root and bloom and bear much fruit for Your glory.