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Part 2
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Let's go to the next plant Jesus tells us about.
(Luk.8:7) And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.
Jesus continues to explain:
(14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
This is the most dangerous of all conditions of the heart.
This plant does have roots; it has not withered away like the previous plant; it keeps on living, thinking it’s a healthy plant (Christian).
This plant is confident; it’s as if this plant looks at itself to say, “Look, I am a plant (believer).
See, I am green and leafy (I go to church every Sunday); that’s why I know I’m a plant.”
This person is not a non-believer or one whom the devil has stolen the seed from. No, these are people who believe and “go on their way” but are caught up with this world, the cares, riches and pleasures of this life.
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(1Jn.2:15) Love not the world,
neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of
the Father is not in him. Sure, they may go to church on Sundays,
but what are they sowing into their hearts; what Living Water, what Word is flowing into their sponge/heart? Christians are here to produce fruit and not just a green, leafy plant.
Jesus told this parable:
(Luk.13:6) A certain man had a fig tree
planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. (7)
And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit
on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the
ground? (8) And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also,
till I shall dig about it, and dung it: (9) and if it bear fruit thenceforth,
[well]; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.
What good is a plant if it bears no fruit? Can Jesus use the fruit
of this plant that is “choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life”?
No, He cannot and this is why it's so dangerous to be a Christian in this condition. Most don’t even realize that they are a “dry sponge” or unfruitful.
Have you ever tried to clean with a dry sponge? It
just doesn’t work; you must get it wet before that sponge works. Jesus agrees!
(14:34) Salt therefore is good: but if
even the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? (35) It is
fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill: [men] cast it out
...
According to Jesus, you can be “salt” (a believer),
but if you lose your saltiness, you're good for nothing and will be thrown out!
Jude says the same thing that Jesus speaks in this parable:
(Jud.12) These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots ...
How can you be "twice dead" unless you are twice alive, twice born.
Many feel if you are “born again” you can never lose your salvation, but there are many scriptures, including these that are unmistakable, which say that if there is no fruit, no Living Water in you and your sponge, you'll be plucked up by the roots and burned.
The final plant and soil of Jesus' parable is the only one that produced fruit.
(Luk.8:8) And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. As he said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear let him hear.
Jesus explains: (15) And that in
the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.
By the world’s standard, almost everybody who is “a good person” is going to Heaven.
By “Christian” standards, everyone who “believes” in Jesus and is "saved" will go to Heaven.
Yet, we have seen in this parable that Jesus teaches us that not all “plants” (believers) will go to heaven; only plants who bear fruit will enter
Heaven.
(Mat.7:21) Not every one that
saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
This is what the Lord wanted to show me: When the Living Water, the Word of God, goes into your heart, it’s like a sponge that slowly gets more and more saturated. The more you eat of the Word of God, the more like Christ you become. As that sponge gets more and more saturated, it soon starts to drip; it just can’t hold any more Living Water. Wherever you go, whomever you meet, they get wet. They can’t help but get wet because Jesus is shining forth!
(5:14) You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill
cannot be hidden. (15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Your sponge now affects everyone you come in contact with. The more of the Word of God you drink into your heart, the more of Jesus that comes spilling out onto others. You can’t help affecting others with what has been sown into your heart. That is the fruit Jesus wants you to produce -- Jesus in you!
During hard and trying times, you draw from that sponge. You get
squeezed by life’s troubles and out come rivers of Living Water. You draw
from that Word that’s been sown in your heart. You don’t have to search; you don’t have to ask because the Holy Spirit brings God’s Word from that overflowing sponge. [size=1](Isa.12:2) Behold, God is my salvation; I
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You're never shaken because you are drawing the water of the Word from your heart.
Hard times are coming upon us -- and very soon!
How we weather this storm will depend on how much of God’s
Word has been sown into our heart. Will there be anything to draw from? Is there any Living Water in that sponge of yours? When squeezed really tight, will anything come flowing out?
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I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord, [even] the Lord, is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation. (3) Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
(Jer.17:13) O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be
put to shame. They that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living
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Don’t forsake “the fountain of living water” while you still have time to drink. Drink it in, then let your light shine forth and get others wet around you. Go and let them see the Jesus in you!
Edited by tntman : October 27, 2011, 9:35 pm
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