Make Use Of Every Opportunity

There are several parables Jesus gave while He was here on earth, but there is one I believe He gave that cut across everyone and that is the parable of the sower. This parable is important because it explains to us that our life is shaped by what we do with the words we hear, in this case it is the word of God. This parable can be found in three of the four gospels, which are; Matthew, Mark and Luke. However, there is something about this parable that is so important; which is the interpretation of the parable. Each of the accounts recorded in the gospel doesn’t have the complete interpretation, but when put together, it becomes complete, let’s take a look.

According to Jesus’ parable, a sower sowed seeds, and as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side which birds came down to devour, (these are people who hear the word but do not understand it and the birds which represents the wicked one comes and snatches the word away); some seeds fell by stony places which sprang up immediately but as the sun came, it scorched it because they had no depth in the soil (these are those who hear the word, receive it with joy but the word doesn’t have real depth in them so when tribulation and persecution comes, the word fades away after a short time); again, some seeds fell among thorns, and sprang up with the thorns but was later choked by the it (these are those who hear the word but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and becomes unfruitful). Finally, some seeds fell among good soil and yielded a crop some a hundredfold, some thirty fold and some sixty fold; the interpretation to this is broken it three parts and this is what I would explain.

When interpreting the meaning of the seeds that fell on the good, the Matthew account says, “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:23 (NKJV); the Mark account says, “But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” Mark 4:20 (NKJV); the Luke account says, “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15 (NKJV); note the underlined words.

Matthew says: hears the word and understands it and produce a crop; Mark says: hears the word, accept it, and produce a crop; Luke says hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. After combining the gospels, it was then clear, what Jesus made us understand was that for us to put the WORD to use by producing fruits the following are important; first of all we are to HEAR the WORD then UNDERSTAND the WORD; then ACCEPT the WORD; then RETAIN/KEEP the WORD and finally; with PERSEVERANCE/PATIENCE, PRODUCE A CROP.

As Christians, we should act like the Bereans who always searched the scriptures [ref. Acts 17:10-12]. The Devil comes to kill, steal and destroy [ref. John 10:10]; so what does the Devil really steal? The Word! You see, “...faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17 (NKJV); and this is what the devil hates to see so he does everything for us not to hear the word.

We have to be careful because the devil comes like roaring lion seeking whom he may devour; we need to be humble before God because we get strengthened by God and when the word comes we have faith. Faith requires diligence, and having faith we are to add virtue to it, and to virtue we are to add knowledge, and to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. Apostle Peter said those who lack these are shortsighted, even to the point of blindness, making them persons who have forgotten that they we cleansed from their old sins. He further advises us to be diligent in our faith.

So, the major point here is that we are to hear the word, understand it, accept it, retain it and by perseverance we would produce a crop. All these should be mixed with faith, putting up the whole armour of God [ref. 1 Peter 5:5-9; 2 Peter 1:5-10; Ephesians 6:10-20]. You must alert when we hear the word and possess it as a priced treasure, because the devil intends to steal, and remember, he doesn’t love at all; but God on the other hand loves us till eternity; this is the gospel truth.

Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t. Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations, you’re born again, you are now brand new!

Log on next time.

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GOD BLESS YOU.

Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are gotten from King James Version (KJV)