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 Salvation - Parable of the Sower 2
Jesus spoke in a parable in Luke 8:5-8 about the Word of God being heard by 4 different types of people. He used 4 different types of soil in His parable to compare us to. The seed the sower planted is the Word of God in this parable. See which category you are in.
In Luke 8:11-12 Jesus says, " This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the Word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved."
These are people who never really believed the message of salvation from the moment they heard it. It just went in one ear and right out the other as with most of what is said anyway. This category pretty much takes up 'most' the population of the world. I've always said Heaven will not be overly crowded.
Luke 8:13 Jesus continues, " Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away."
The greek indicates that these people truly did believe when they heard the message of salvation, but then later chose to renounce their faith.
Luke 8:14 Jesus continues, " The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature."
There is no indication that these people actually believed but there is also no indication that they did not believe. What is indicated is that the message of salvation was not as important to these people as was their lifestyle. The greek indicates these people were not developed in 'bearing fruit to maturity'. They were not made complete. I know christians who could be saved but have no depth in their relationship with the Lord. This is evidenced in their conversation.
Luke 8:15 Jesus continues saying, " But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the Word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."
The greek indicates these are people who believe the message of salvation and keep it in their heart which later produces fruit to maturity. No matter what trials come their way they endure to the end and never renounce their faith. Jesus said in Matthew 24:10 in talking about the last days, " Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Notice Jesus said no small few but 'most'.
Wayne Brown
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