Today we continue our series entitled, “Expecting the Word to Work!” This is part 36.
Friday I shared a message from the parable of the sower that was based on a conversation I had with a young person who routinely fails to take responsibility for their actions. They shift the blame for what happens to them on others or on God. When I had a conversation with them about their responsibility where God is concerned, their understanding of God was so warped that they thought that if God actually dealt with us according to our actions, that it would be “petty” of Him. This person’s point was that since God is a loving God, He should just protect us and bless us according to His goodness and NOT according to anything we do. While I agree that God does bless us according to His goodness and I know we cannot work for, nor earn the blessing of God, I also know the Bible is clear that God is looking for us to live a life pleasing in His sight.
In this parable we see a sower who goes out of his way to provide seed to soil. The soil does not seek the sower, the sower seeks the soil. The sower provides the soil what it needs to produce a harvest. But the harvest is NOT contingent upon the seed, nor the sower. The harvest is contingent upon soil. The way the soil receives and responds to the the seed determines whether or not a harvest is produced. So let’s get into the parable again. Jesus said:
“The farmer is like someone who plants God’s teaching in people. Sometimes the teaching falls on the path. That is like some people who hear the teaching of God. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.
Other people are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching, and they quickly and gladly accept it. But they don’t allow it to go deep into their lives. They keep it only a short time. As soon as trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they give up.
Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching, but their lives become full of other things: the worries of this life, the love of money, and everything else they want. This keeps the teaching from growing, and it does not produce a crop in their lives.
And others are like the seed planted on the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce a good crop—sometimes 30 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 100 times more.” (Mark 4:13-20 ERV)
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God’s love is not the issue.
a) God loves you and there is nothing you can do about it. Nothing you did caused God to start loving you and nothing you do will make Him stop.
b) Your actions/performance cannot make God love you any more or any less. God is love.
c) The sower provided all four types of soil the same opportunity. He did not discriminate. Likewise, God offers all people eternal life and He goes out of His way to bless us by His unearned grace.
2. Your performance does not impact God’s love, but it does impact God’s pleasure with you and it will determine the harvest you reap on the seed you sow.
a) You can love your children, but still be displeased with their actions.
b) Jesus made it clear that the sower provided all four types of soil the same seed, but He also made it clear that the soils did not produce the same results. Jesus was not pleased with the first three types of soil. They failed to produce a harvest on the investment God made in them. This does not change God’s love, but it becomes an issue of His pleasure. God is pleased when we make the most of the opportunities He gives us.
3. Your desire should be to live a life that is pleasing in God’s sight.
a) There is nothing God will withhold from those who walk upright before Him (Ps 84:11).
b) Your conduct does not change God’s love, but it does have to do with His pleasure. Your conduct dictates whether or not you live a life pleasing to Him.
c) God wants your life to produce fruit and for your fruit to last (John 15:16). He provides you all you need to produce the fruit. He is actually the one looking to work in, with and through you. He will provide you the words and He will perform the work (John 14:10), if you allow Him to; if you yield to Him. But if you selfishly disregard God and His ways, if you stubbornly pursue life on your own terms, and if your life becomes full of things you came up with without God, you will miss out on God’s best. It won’t be because God does not love you. It will be because you chose self over God, even though He selfless chose you!
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. My expectation is tied to Your Word. I take self-inventory this morning. I look at ME! I consider MY ways. I assess MY actions. I evaluate MY desires. I make a conscious effort to die to sin, self and selfishness. My only desire is to please You. I only want what you want for me. I only want to become the person You destined me to be. So I refocus, recalibrate, and recenter myself completely in You. By faith I declare that I live a life pleasing in Your sight. I know I love me, but I also want You to be pleased with me. So I conduct myself in accordance with Your Word. I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
