This past weekend I was in Columbus Ohio for a Bill Glass Champions for Life event. It is where this life changing prison ministry initially began and marked the 40th anniversary of its inception. There were 568 salvations and 942 other decisions, for a total of 1,510 decisions for Christ made in two days of our team going into the many prisons in the area and preaching the word!
I was told that three Muslims were among those who accepted Jesus as their Savior. Will they remain as followers of Christ or return to their false prophet? I often wonder if the many decisions made at this event or similar events such as the Billy Graham crusades lead to a lasting Spirit filled life of peace, joy, and love. After the emotion of the moment has dimmed, will these guys and gals remain faithful to the Lord?
The answer is yes and no. Some use it to begin a life of following God’s commands as best they know how and living the good life, while others try it for a while, only to return to their misery. The Bible describes it as being reminiscent of a dog returning to its vomit. Our lusts beckon to us to return to sin and in a weak moment we relent and before we know it we are completely overpowered and trapped in bondage as slaves to the darkness where we can know no peace, joy, or true love.
It is not a unique phenomenon and is described in detail by Jesus in a parable comparing sowing seeds. Jesus taught in parables in order for Godly truths to be easier to understand. I often try His approach in Words for the Day by trying to describe biblical principles by comparing them to real life situations.
Jesus does it oh so much better as He does below in this parable where the seed described being sown is the word of God. The sower is our Lord Jesus Christ or his ministers. Four situations are described by Jesus.
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”
Okay, do you have “ears”? If so you should be able to “hear” what God is telling us with this parable. Just in case our ears are not hearing so well this morning, Jesus explained it for us.
When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Hmmm…I personally don’t know any Christians who never make mistakes. Christ does not say that good ground has no stones or thorns in it; but none that could hinder its bearing fruit, (living the Spirit filled life for God).
We should aim at the highest, and do the best we know how. The Bible tells us that hearing the word of God is what increases our faith. If we don’t hear it that often, we cannot hope to understand God’s plan for our lives. Hear the word of God often by reading the Bible, attending church and Sunday school, having fellowship with other Christians and through prayer.
If God’s words have fallen on a patch of stony ground in your heart, or some lusts of this life have overwhelmed you and temporarily choked Him out today, the good news is that it is not too late to turn back to Him (provided that we act NOW, before it is too late).
I can say this with authority because I have gone awry too many times to remember, but like the prodigal son who has wallowed in the pig pen, when I finally regain my sanity and realize that dark clouds are blocking out all of my light and making me miserable, I return home and ask for forgiveness in shame and abject humility.
I pray something simple like this: “God I’m sorry I messed up again. Thank you for your loving grace and once again for being willing to forgive my stupidity and rebellion. Father please cleanse me and allow me back into your presence to enjoy your peace, joy, and enduring love. Father I’m sorry I let you down”.
I hate to fail Him but I know that He understands my weakness better than I understand it. It is not easy to traverse through this life with its many snares and traps, but through His strength it is achievable. He beckons to you today; I urge you not to remain stony…
Matt. 7:8
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.