Spiritual Motivation and Insight

[CrimsonTide4]

The Difference is the Soil

(Mar 4:24 BBE) And he said to them, Take care what you give ear to: in the same measure as you give you will get, and more will be given to you.


This morning we continue our series on the "Biblical Principles of Sowing and Reaping." Now that we have discussed this sower that went forth to sow, let's move further along in the story. Jesus went on to explain the different types of soil to the crowd in general and then further explained the parable to His disciples in private. He explained that the farmer sows the word and that there will be different types of people in the earth that receive the Word. Some will be like the soil by the side of the road that receive the seed, but as soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes it away. Others are like the rocky soil. These people hear the word and immediately rejoice. They get happy, but since they have no root, they quickly burn out. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others are like the thorny ground. These people hear the word, but they allow the worries of this life to choke it and to make it unfruitful in their lives. And finally others are like good soil. These people - which I hope you fall into this category - hear the Word in faith, they accept it and it produces a harvest in their lives; some thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.



Take careful note that this story started off with "one" sower. This sower went forth to sow seed in the earth. He sowed the same seed in every situation, but the results were different. What caused the difference? Was it the sower? No! Was it the seed? No! Was it how it treated each soil? No! The singular difference in every case was the soil itself. God does not play favorites. He does not want to bless one and ignore another. He desires to save and prosper us all, but many refuse to allow the seed of the Word of God to produce a harvest in their lives. This is not God's fault, but ours. The Word works if you work the Word! Our text teaches us that we need to be careful what we receive. The more receptive we are to the Word of God, the more we will get and the greater the harvest will be in our lives.


So what does this mean to you today? A few things:

1. Understand that the Word of God is an incorruptible seed.

2. Understand that this seed can produce a harvest in anyone's life, but they must be willing to receive the seed and allow it to work in them.

3. When we receive the Word of God by faith, and then apply it to our lives, we are allowing the seed to bring forth Godly fruit.

4. If we are not experiencing a harvest, it is not because there is something wrong with the seed.

5. The difference between a person growing in God and experiencing the harvest and a person just barely getting by and not growing at all is the soil, not the seed.

If you do not like what you are harvesting, it may be time to check the soil!

Confession for this day: Lord God. I receive the incorruptible seed of the Word of God. I am good soil and receive that seed by faith. It brings forth fruit in my life. Sometimes thirty, sometimes sixty, and other times a hundred times what was sown. I allow the Word of God to change me and to shape my character. I am the good soil and I receive a Godly harvest. In Jesus' name. Amen!