Fruits of Mission

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Luke 8:15: [Jesus is saying,] "But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing the word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.

I was a pastor in a town based upon farming. The congregation was made up of mostly farmers or people who worked in farming related businesses. The farmers all agreed to the fact that seeds will grow in good, well fed soil. With the right preparation, the right fertilizing, and the right amount of watering, seeds that are planted in the good soil will grow. It means that rocks are removed from the soil, weeds are killed that are in the soil, and is not planted any where near roads or cement. It is all about making sure that the field is ready for planted to insure, to the best of their ability, that the seed will produce.

In our parable, Jesus is telling us that the farmer didn't take out the weeds and rocks first. The farmer threw the seed as far as his toss would carry them, including onto the road. So "good soil" doesn't mean "prepared soil." "Good soil" means soil that receives without interference.

Let's say that you are "good soil." What makes you "good?" Is it your character? Is it your willingness to do the right thing? It is none of those things. The Holy Spirit sets it up to where you will receive the Word without any interference. The Word of God is received, pondered, and through faith taken in and grows. This is all by means of the power of the Holy Spirit.

And when the Word of God is in you, it will bear fruit in keeping with repentance, grace, and mercy. God, continue to prepare me to receive Your Word and bear fruit, Amen.