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Good Soil

 

Luke 8:15 - But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 

Do you ever wonder what it takes to grow in Christ? In the parable of the sower, Jesus explains the kind of heart that’s receptive to His Word. He says we must:

Hear the Word. We don’t allow the teaching of Scripture to merely pass through our ears; rather, we listen to and apply it. We’re willing to have any area sifted, refined, and liberated by His Truth.

Be honest – open, transparent, and genuine with the Lord.

Be good – which means turned toward God. We know this because when the rich young ruler called Jesus a good Teacher, Jesus replied, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). So we must be people who seek to have His character and purge all things that oppose Him from our lives.

Hold the Word fast – keeping possession of it. We never let go or doubt God – even when we don’t understand our circumstances.

Bear fruit – being productive and examining the fruit of our lives regularly.

And persevere – staying the course always, because that’s how we become mature and produce a great harvest for His name.

From – “God’s Purpose For Your Life” by Charles F. Stanley