Luke8:4-8NIV"4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Luke8:11-15NIV"11“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those 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. 13Those on the rocky ground 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. 14The 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. 15But 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 call of Christ is a call to arms.
Matthew 10:34NIV"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."
But having made common cause with JEHOVAH and his Son how does one avoid becoming numbered among the casualties on this battlefield. Obviously knowing the truth or knowing JEHOVAH is not enough.
James2:19NIV"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."
So what then?
James4:8NIV"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
The trouble is ,that like every other truly worthwhile achievement this kind of transformative intimacy with the Lord JEHOVAH requires disciplined effort. Note also that an outward change is not the primary objective ,for this change must affect the examiner of hearts himself.
1Thessalonians2:4NIV"On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts."
We leave off the transactional way of thinking that marked our initial relationship with JEHOVAH and with his unfailing help adopt a more devotional mindset. Our Lord has shown us the way to wage victorious spiritual warfare.
John16:33NIV"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”" his intimate relationship with his God JEHOVAH is our model.
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