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.
[Matthew 13:22, NIV]
[Matthew 13:22, NIV]
In the parable of the sower, Jesus described a kind of person who received the word of God and their soil was fertile enough for their roots to grow deep. The word of God germinated in their lives in a promising way, but just before they could begin to bear fruits they get choked by thorns and die.
This kind of soil describes a vast majority of Christians who receive the word of God with delight. The heart of this Christian is very well cultivated and conducive for the word of God to flourish. This person has a genuine love for God and the things of the kingdom, they start on a promising note, you could see the future of this person blessing God and his generation, indeed there is potential. However, God's dream for this life doesn't get to fruition despite the amount of Godly awareness, despite the knowledge of God and personal encounters with God.
Along the way, this heart got involved in many things at the same time. Worldly engagements got our friend uber busy with any or several seemingly legitimate concerns. The heart amongst thorns is so pre-occupied with work it cries out, 'This job is not letting me serve God like I should'. In other forms, our friend is concerned with enjoying this life to the fullest, not wanting any pleasure to pass by in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and traces of God are wiped out with every exposure. We hear this heart say '... I remember the days when I walked with God like no other'. In yet another instance, this heart has grown so rich by worldly parameters (money, fame, power, etc), Godliness becomes unfashionable and too demanding. The fear of God is quenched from this heart and it becomes business as usual.
As children of a loving God, let us examine ourselves and be wary of things around us that strive to separate us from our father and choke our faith. Stay clear of things that make us unfruitful in our Christian walk but cling to those that draw us closer to God. 1 Corinthians 6:12 tells us 'All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any'. Whichever voice we choose to obey between God and the pleasures/worries of life becomes our master. The good Lord bless your every effort as you make Him first in your life in Jesus name.
Prayer: Dear Father, grant me the wisdom to identify thorns in my Christian walk, give me the will power to overcome their influence and help me to bear fruits according to your call on my life. I pray Lord that I will shine your light in my life that men may see your good works and glorify you in Heaven. Blessed be your name forever in Jesus name.
One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan - June 23 2010 - Job 37-39 (OT), 2 Corinthians 12 (NT)
Pray for someone today - Pray for Christians who have forgotten their first love for God and have been carried away with the events of life. Pray that the grace of God will find them where they are and guide them back into His fold.
God's love and mine...
