The Soils of the Heart (Part III of III)
Mark 4:16 & 17 (Jesus speaking), "These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; but they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the Word's sake, immediately they fall away."
There is a tradition in home building that says, "it is easier to start a house than to finish a house." As the construction on a home proceeds, there becomes more and more details and the coordination of services and subcontractors increases. It is always easier to begin a thing than to finish it. It has been said that 'it takes about 5% effort to win a soul for Christ, but 95% effort to keep the person in Christ and growing into maturity in the Church." Many begin the Christian life only to fall away because of 'the stony soil' of their hearts. I suspect they don't think it through, what Christianity means, and the life changing demands of this holy religion. Millions of people are attracted by Christianity but because of the stony soil of their hearts, they never let their faith in Jesus get beyond the surface of their lives. Soon these spiritually rootless folks drift back into a world of sin. The fact is, that with Christianity it is a case of all or nothing.
Verses 18 & 19, 'Now these are the ones sown among thorns, they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this word, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things, entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.'
Jesus says the Word of God also falls among the soil with thorns, or among the busy, busy, people of this world. It is so easy to pack life with such a multiplicity of interests that there is no time left for Christ. The more complicated life becomes, the more important it is to see that our priorities are holy and right. We all are in constant danger that our hearts could be overcome by worries and the desire to have more and more material wealth.
It is this condition of the heart that concerns me the most. Will the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for more and more slowly choke out the love of Christ in even the most dedicated Christian? Is your faith, your commitment to Jesus, slowly dying among 'the thorns'? Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 10:22, '... he who endures to the end will be saved.'
Or is your faith rooted on good ground, fertile soil, as in verse 20; a vibrant and full of life faith that proudly pro-claims to a corrupt and hurting world,
'Come to Jesus for answers.'
A faith that proudly proclaims:
'Come to Jesus for healing.'
A faith that proudly proclaims:
'Come to Jesus for the salvation of your soul.'
Today, in what condition is the 'soil' of your heart? Hard? Shallow? Crowded with thorns? Or good? The answer could determine where your soul will spend eternity.
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Chris Voss is a pastor at First Christian Church, 317 S. Main, Donna.