The Seed Falling on Good Soil!

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13:18-23 NIV

‘We often find the Bible as an inspirational book, if we consider ourselves as Christians. Since the Bible was written in ancient times, it does not seem to match with today’s culture. We can see this issue in the Old Testament for instance. We may also can see this issue in the New Testament as well. As worries can get us to nowhere, some of us may deny the Scriptures that do not match with today’s culture.’

Although there is the time different between the Bible and today’s culture, we need to apply the principles of the Bible into our lives. The Bible was written for us to know how to be filled with God’s righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17), even though Jesus Christ already has made us righteous in God’s sight by His crucifixion and resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:21). In other words, God wants us to know how to live the Kingdom world by instructing us how to live our lives through the Bible. One of my concerns through writing devotionals is that I may not put into practice what I preach. I am good at preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ but not good at putting it into practice. This is probably something that I have to work on. Other than this, I thought about my theological studies. I am wondering how I endured my studies because of my headaches from theology. However, I depend on the Holy Spirit to work through and change my mind to the Spirit’s ways (Romans 12:2). Though working in the church might be hard, I am willing to work in the church in the future because my passion is on the Lord and to build His church up.

The story of the Bible is simple. To sum it up, it is the guidance and revelation book of the Lord and of the Christian life. However, each of the passages have another meaning than natural one, so we have to be open minded and let God speak to us through the Scriptures. I know we also need the Spirit of God to read this book but God is willing to pour His Spirit into those who want to seek, know, and believe in Him (Luke 11:11-13). Since the level of seeking the Lord within me has decreased, I think I have to meditate on the goodness of God. We cannot comprehend Him completely, because of the limitations of our knowledge (Romans 11:33-36), but He desires us to know Him as much as possible (Psalm 1:1-3). While Jesus was praying, He has said, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

Meditate on Philippians 1:27-28 and ask yourself this question today: “Am I am conducting in a manner of the gospel of Christ?”