I have reached a season in my life, along with my walk of faith…where I have zero interest in debating or arguing over church doctrines…or taking on the wide variety of beliefs and opinions held by many today who consider themselves to be sincere, believing ‘Christians’.

I have nothing to prove to anyone, nor am I seeking a pulpit after stepping down from the one I occupied over 20 years ago. But I will continue to share here with anyone who ‘has ears to hear’… as long as I am compelled by the One who ‘opened my eyes’ and renewed a dead heart that had grown cold and stale…there are plenty of more verses and passages in our Bibles that we would do well to go back and re-examine once again…before it is too late.

The ‘sower’, whom Jesus told us about in a parable, did not engage with crowds nor did he try to prove a point to anyone; he simply went out and shared the word of God, and let the seed fall where it may. (Matt. 13:3-9). Jesus later followed up with those closest to Him and explained the parable to them, assuring them that the ‘mysteries of the kingdom’ were to be made known to them…those who had come to Him with their whole hearts. (10-11)

If we learn nothing else from this parable, which Jesus said that if we didn’t understand this story…that we’d be unable to understand any other parables after that (Mark 4:13)…it is this nugget of truth: There is a war taking place over His word along with an active enemy who will do anything and everything he can to keep you from receiving God’s word, and in turn acting upon it in faith.

We are told in this parable that some of the ‘seed’ (God’s word) was sown, or perhaps fell… upon the pathway, ground that had been pressed down due to frequent use. We discussed yesterday how we can become ‘overly familiar’ with things where they have little effect, or fail to make a lasting impact on us if we are not careful. And what became of that seed, according to Jesus?

The ‘birds of the air’ swooped in and devoured it, never having a chance to take root and eventually grow to maturity, producing an abundance of ‘good fruit’. And fruit matters!

When alone with His disciples, Jesus informed them that the real threat was not from actual birds, but it was in fact ‘the devil…who “comes immediately to snatch that word which was sown in to men’s hearts…lest they believe and be saved” (Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12). I know this can be challenging for many to wrap their heads around and acknowledge that there really is a spiritual entity who exists and remains active among us even today. But friends, God’s words is timeless…and we would be foolish to ignore the fact that this ‘whole world is under his power and influence’….IF…one is not truly committed to following Jesus. (1 John 5:19; Acts 26:18)

So what about that ‘seed’ that did find soil/hearts to land upon and even take root and begin to grow? Jesus addressed those as well. There were two types of soil where this did happen, one being rocky ground, so while there was some depth of soil for it to be received (with gladness and joy)…it didn’t last long, despite springing up quickly. Jesus explained how people who did respond in such a matter…actually ‘believed…for a while’ (Luke 8:13). But the minute any semblance of temptations or difficulties arose, they quickly ‘withered up…and fell away’. It’s important to note for all those who are quick to say all one ‘needs to do is believe’ (in order to be ‘saved’)…that these people did ‘believe’…but failed to reach maturity. Fruit matters!

And then there was that seed that fell among the thorns (Matt. 13:7,22). Clearly, other plants were growing and thriving on this soil, but when the seed of God’s word began to grow, we are told it was ‘choked’ by these thorny plants, keeping it as well from maturing and producing fruit. Jesus then explained what those thorny plants represented:

“He who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word…but the cares of this world…the cares of this world…the cares of this world, along with the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things…choke the word…and he becomes unfruitful.” (Matt. 13:33; Mark 4:19). And did I mention that ‘fruit matters!’?

But then there was the ‘good ground’…that the seed fell upon (Mark 4:8). Jesus would explain that ‘these are the ones sown on good ground…those who hear the word…and accept it…and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundredfold.” (Mark 4:20). Luke’s account says they ‘keep the word and bear fruit with patience’ (8:15).

What was the key factor in the type of good soil, or ‘heart condition’ that saw fruit produced? It was those hearts that received…and kept…God’s word in their hearts. They didn’t reject it because it didn’t ‘fit’ with their previously held beliefs. Remember what Jesus warned could happen if/when we ‘hold to the traditions and teachings of men’ over what God’s word says? We can ‘make the word of God of no effect’ (Mark 7:13). Yes, fruit matters!

Now let’s wrap up with examining some words Jesus shared in the one gospel that does not include the parable of the sower, which would be John’s gospel. But it sure does focus on this idea of bearing good fruit. Are you aware that unless one is truly abiding in Jesus… no fruit can be produced…’unless we are abiding in Him…and His word is abiding in us’? (John 15:1-8) Why, Jesus even made it known: “By this, My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit…proving to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

Friends… that one warning Jesus shared how the ‘cares of this life can choke the word’…and keep fruit from maturing… I don’t know who needs to hear this, but can I just tell that the results of the upcoming election will NOT…affect the kingdom of God nor God’s plans…nor His word in any way, shape, or form. His kingdom is ‘not of this world’…and the heavens and the earth will soon pass away…but the word of God will endure forever. (Matt. 24:35). Go vote if you want to vote, but this I know…the only ‘red’ that matters is the ‘puddle of red’ that collected at the foot of the cross, and we better make sure we have bathed in it.