Examining Our Fruit
This morning we had 11 men at 5 AM to examine the Parable of the Sower in Luke 8, and we ended up examining the fruit. The parable is about a sower sowing the seed. It is about the soils on which the seeds fall. Ultimately, it is about the fruit or lack of fruit produced by the seeds. Jesus was telling us that fruit is important in God's Kingdom, so we must examine our fruit.
It is clear that Jesus intended to give us four categories of people. The first group has no fruit because the seed of the Word of God never sinks into the hearts, and Satan steals it away. This group of folks is not even saved. They reject God and His Word. However, then there are two groups which receive the Word and believe it, at least for a while. However, no fruit is produced, because of a lack of soil and the weeds choking out the seeds. These two groups probably represent people who are saved, but they bear very little fruit, because most of the time they have only a shallow acceptance of the Word, or they allow the cares, riches, and pleasures of life to choke out the Word. The final group is the only one which really bears fruit, because they receive the Word of God, and they keep it with perseverance.
So, what category are you in? The only one that is really pleasing to God is the fruitful group. That is why I say that we must examine our own fruit. If there is no fruit or very little fruit from the power of God working in our lives, we need to figure out what has been happening and correct the soil of our hearts. Then, and only then, will our lives be pleasing to our Lord Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 17-19.
It is clear that Jesus intended to give us four categories of people. The first group has no fruit because the seed of the Word of God never sinks into the hearts, and Satan steals it away. This group of folks is not even saved. They reject God and His Word. However, then there are two groups which receive the Word and believe it, at least for a while. However, no fruit is produced, because of a lack of soil and the weeds choking out the seeds. These two groups probably represent people who are saved, but they bear very little fruit, because most of the time they have only a shallow acceptance of the Word, or they allow the cares, riches, and pleasures of life to choke out the Word. The final group is the only one which really bears fruit, because they receive the Word of God, and they keep it with perseverance.
So, what category are you in? The only one that is really pleasing to God is the fruitful group. That is why I say that we must examine our own fruit. If there is no fruit or very little fruit from the power of God working in our lives, we need to figure out what has been happening and correct the soil of our hearts. Then, and only then, will our lives be pleasing to our Lord Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 17-19.