Good morning, dear friends! I rejoice over the opportunity to continue in the Word of God, which is the book of wisdom and to draw from it godly wisdom that is capable of changing us and adorning our lives.Today we will continue our discussion on the power and the potential hidden in a seed. We already talked about the three parables of Jesus that reveal to us what we need to do with seeds and why it is so important to pay attention to this power and potential, which the seed contains.
We also talked about the fact that God has given seed to every person and through this seed God desires to make us influential, fulfilled and fruitful in this life. God Himself gave us the seed – God’s Word. When He wants to create or change something, He sows His Word, and, upon finding the right ground, this Word bears tremendous fruit.
We already looked at three types of ground where God’s Word cannot be fruitful. Now I would like to discuss the fourth type of ground.
«But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.» (Мk.4:20)
I want you to notice that it is required of us to accept the Word if we want it to bear fruit. People with stony hearts also accept the Word, but there is a difference between them and those whose heart is identified as being good ground. People with stone hearts receive the Word on the emotional level, on the surface; besides, they are not consistent, and as a result the Word cannot take root in their hearts.«…and they have no root in themselves…» (Мark 4:17)
However, the ones whose hearts are like good ground not only accept the Word but are consistent as well. These types of people allow the Word of God take root in their hearts.Thus, lack of the Word or emotional or surface reception of God’s Word, not abiding in the Word and not meditating on it-all become strong reasons why God’s Word does not bear fruit in our lives.«But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.» (Luke 8:15)
‘The seed on the good ground’ talks about the necessity of receiving the Word of God into our hearts and keeping it in the noble and good soil of our hearts .God’s Word is to be kept in a clean heart, without any weeds. It is very important to make sure that the heart is pure. The presence of any unclean desires, cares, lust, or unclean motives will choke the Word and make it unfruitful.The next characteristic of good ground is patience or consistency. «..bear fruit with patience» – it means that, despite all the difficulties and problems that we are surrounded with in this life, we must guard God’s Word and never allow these situations to choke the word out of our hearts. Only this kind of attitude towards the Word is able to bring blessings into a person’s life.Another verse of Scripture shows the significance of good ground.
«But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.» (Matthew 13:23)
We see in this Scripture that it is essential to receive the Word and to understand it. In order to understand the Word you have to work hard: to meditate on it and to keep it in a clean and good heart. You must be consistent in it and only then God’s Word will abide in our hearts no matter the circumstances. We cannot give in to our hardships; we must patiently hold on to the Word and wait for the fruits it will bring into our lives.
We need to believe that if God has promised, He will fulfill it, no matter what situations and circumstances there are around us. Do not let the circumstances choke the Word out of your heart! This type of attitude towards God’s Word will surely bring abundant blessings into a person’s life and change his life.
God’s seed – God’s Word – contains power that is capable of totally changing our lives, but our hearts must be prepared for it.
Dear friends, what is your attitude towards the Word of God? What type of ground can you be identified with? Are you one of those people that are excited about the Word but do not do anything to make sure it takes root in their lives? Or are you one of those people that hear the Word, but do not understand it, and Satan immediately steals the Word from their life? Or maybe you are one of those who hear the Word, but the cares of this world and evil lusts come into their hearts and make the Word unfruitful?
I pray that God will raise you up starting from this day as you accept the seed sown by God – the Word of God that is able to save your soul.God bless you!
Pastor Rufus Ajiboy
