Twin Peaks

The scripture for today is Luke 8:11

Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus informed His disciples that the seed planted represented the Word of God. The apostle Peter who was present when Christ gave this revelation later wrote: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever." 1 Peter 1:23 Peter gives us some characteristics of the Word. We can readily see that it is the activating power of new life. It is incorruptible and it lives and abides forever. From that seed, new life is received and that life grows and produces fruit from what is contained in the seed. There is power in the Word of God. It changes lives for all eternity.  

Our hearts are the soil in which the seed is planted. Every heart has the opportunity to receive the Word of God. Hard and unreceptive hearts reject the Word outright. Shallow hearts give lip service to the Word but never surrender to it. Consequently, they never grow and bear fruit, but die off quickly.  Distracted hearts are double-minded. They, to some degree, accept the Word but they also are attracted to the world and traditions. Eventually they are choked by their duplicity and the seed of truth dies out in their lives.  

How can we ensure that our hearts are good ground for the Word of God? There is only one way and that is to surrender to the Word of God as it is imparted to us. Partial obedience is disobedience and delayed obedience leads to continued delay which also is disobedience. Surrender to the Word of God is the only way to gain victory over sin and self. God sows the seed; we get the benefit of what the seed contains. The work of redemption has been provided, the Word of life is given and the Sower awaits our choice. Our choices reveal the condition of our hearts. Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, bids the world, "Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 May His Word find good soil in our hearts.

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim