Luke 8:15 (KJV)
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
This parable, also found in Matthew 13 and Mark 4, was one of the earliest passages that challenged me as a young pastor. The question—and debate—centered around which of the four grounds represented the truly saved.
It seems obvious that the wayside ground isn’t saved. The seed is snatched away before they believe and are saved.
The rocky ground receives the Word with joy and believes for a while, but because they have no root, they fall away at the first temptation.
The thorny ground is similar, except it does take root. But other things choke out the spiritual life.
Forty years of ministry have allowed me to witness each of these soils many times:
• Those we get nowhere with.
• Those we are hopeful for but are quickly disappointed by.
• Those who frustrate us because they have so much spiritual potential—if only they would surrender to the
Lord.
It occurs to me that the debate is moot and misguided. No one should be looking for an excuse to be as little Christian as possible and still be saved.
There is but one option we should all seek for ourselves:
• Good ground
• An honest and good heart
• Hearing the Word
• Keeping the Word
• Patiently bringing forth fruit (Luke’s Gospel gives only the option of a hundredfold.)
Why aim for anything less?
#GoodGround #FruitfulFaith #KeepTheWord #HonestHeart #GrowInGrace
Why Settle? No Excuses—Be All In for Christ
What kind of soil is your heart? 🌱ðŸ’
Jesus made it clear—only one type of ground truly bears fruit. Don’t settle for less! Take a step today: share Luke 8:15 with someone who needs encouragement and challenge them to grow in Christ.
💬 Comment below: Which of the four soils have you seen most in your own life or ministry?
🌎 Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources.
👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
For this and, more than 6600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.
If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.
My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org
Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/
Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more
Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give.
No comments:
Post a Comment