Post by Cindy on Nov 19, 2021 11:49:20 GMT -5
I've been studying The Parable of the Sower in Luke 8 and find the ending of the parable should cause us all to really take a close look at our faith and see if we are truly hearing what Jesus is saying and what the Bible teaches. Not just here in Luke 8, but the entire Bible. Many Bible versions separate the last 3 verses as though they're not part of the parable, but they do go with the parable, and these are the verses I'm speaking about: ““No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”” (Luke 8:16–18)
The parable shows us the 4 different ways that people can react to hearing God’s Word. The majority hear God’s Word but don’t believe.
The next group shows some accept the Word mentally but reject it when the going gets tough. This could be a trial such as a sickness or getting laid off at work, or other things like that. Or quite frequently it's having to decide whether you're going to stand firm in your faith, or give in because of situations such as: your teenager has a lot of school friends that are homosexual or non binary, and transgender; therefore they have decided the Bible isn't true because they want to keep their friends. (or other things like that.) Rather than fight their child they give in and give up their faith, although they may still go to church and pretend nothing has changed. Others may change churches and find one that teaches those things are just fine with God.
The third group are double minded, they say they believe but they love the world and try to serve the world as well as God. The last group are the true believers, which are few. They hear the Word, obey it, applying it to their life, and bear fruit in good works.
Jesus then explains in Luke 8:16 that even though He was teaching the masses in parables, He means for us to speak the truth plainly to all who will listen to us.
It's Verse 18 that should give us pause and cause us all to fear God and to pay close attention to every word in the Bible, knowing it to be the real and only Truth, whether we like it or not. Sadly, those who “think they know the truth” and bash God and His Word, telling people it isn’t true, or that it doesn’t mean what it clearly says, will wind up spending eternity in Hell, proving to them at last that what they thought they knew was false, and therefore their “belief” is now taken away from them. I can't stand the thought of anyone going to Hell. Jesus loves us so much He willingly withstood all the pain of the torture and then the crucifixion in order to make a way for us to live with Him in Heaven for eternity. Yet I see people who know the Truth, turn away from it so that they "don't lose their child's love" or so their child will keep coming to visit when they're grown and will allow their parents to continue to be part of their life. It makes me want to shake them asking, what's more important, 40 years here or eternity together in heaven???? It's every persons choice. They can choose to have the relationship and "love" (if you can really call it that) here in this life, for maybe the next 40 years, and spend eternity separated in Hell. (see Luke 16:19–31) Or you can make the logical choice of possibly (and that's a very important word since you don't know for sure how your child will react!) losing them for some of all of this life, but being together with them for eternity in Heaven if the seeds of truth you plant and your prayers for them bear fruit. Ultimately I firmly believe that there's a very good chance of the child turning back to the Lord if they were raised right to start with and if the parents stand firm in their faith.
What I'd like to do here, rather than bore you with what I think, is share some other very important scriptures that go along with Luke 8:17–18 quoted above. That way you can reflect on God's own Words which are much more important than mine will ever be! I think some of them may surprise you.
“He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” (Matthew 13:11–12)
“He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”” (Luke 11:28)
“Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise.” (1 Corinthians 3:18)
“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”” (Mark 4:23–25)
““He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.” (Luke 19:26)
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:22–23)
“The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.” (1 Corinthians 8:2)
““Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ “ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’ ”” (Luke 19:24–27)
“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.” (Revelation 2:11)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)
“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:1–4)
It's always a good idea to examine ourselves like we're told to. Don't fool yourself into thinking you're saved. If there's even the smallest doubt, get right with God and make your salvation sure!
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
The parable shows us the 4 different ways that people can react to hearing God’s Word. The majority hear God’s Word but don’t believe.
The next group shows some accept the Word mentally but reject it when the going gets tough. This could be a trial such as a sickness or getting laid off at work, or other things like that. Or quite frequently it's having to decide whether you're going to stand firm in your faith, or give in because of situations such as: your teenager has a lot of school friends that are homosexual or non binary, and transgender; therefore they have decided the Bible isn't true because they want to keep their friends. (or other things like that.) Rather than fight their child they give in and give up their faith, although they may still go to church and pretend nothing has changed. Others may change churches and find one that teaches those things are just fine with God.
The third group are double minded, they say they believe but they love the world and try to serve the world as well as God. The last group are the true believers, which are few. They hear the Word, obey it, applying it to their life, and bear fruit in good works.
Jesus then explains in Luke 8:16 that even though He was teaching the masses in parables, He means for us to speak the truth plainly to all who will listen to us.
It's Verse 18 that should give us pause and cause us all to fear God and to pay close attention to every word in the Bible, knowing it to be the real and only Truth, whether we like it or not. Sadly, those who “think they know the truth” and bash God and His Word, telling people it isn’t true, or that it doesn’t mean what it clearly says, will wind up spending eternity in Hell, proving to them at last that what they thought they knew was false, and therefore their “belief” is now taken away from them. I can't stand the thought of anyone going to Hell. Jesus loves us so much He willingly withstood all the pain of the torture and then the crucifixion in order to make a way for us to live with Him in Heaven for eternity. Yet I see people who know the Truth, turn away from it so that they "don't lose their child's love" or so their child will keep coming to visit when they're grown and will allow their parents to continue to be part of their life. It makes me want to shake them asking, what's more important, 40 years here or eternity together in heaven???? It's every persons choice. They can choose to have the relationship and "love" (if you can really call it that) here in this life, for maybe the next 40 years, and spend eternity separated in Hell. (see Luke 16:19–31) Or you can make the logical choice of possibly (and that's a very important word since you don't know for sure how your child will react!) losing them for some of all of this life, but being together with them for eternity in Heaven if the seeds of truth you plant and your prayers for them bear fruit. Ultimately I firmly believe that there's a very good chance of the child turning back to the Lord if they were raised right to start with and if the parents stand firm in their faith.
What I'd like to do here, rather than bore you with what I think, is share some other very important scriptures that go along with Luke 8:17–18 quoted above. That way you can reflect on God's own Words which are much more important than mine will ever be! I think some of them may surprise you.
“He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.” (Matthew 13:11–12)
“He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”” (Luke 11:28)
“Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise.” (1 Corinthians 3:18)
“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”” (Mark 4:23–25)
““He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.” (Luke 19:26)
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:22–23)
“The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.” (1 Corinthians 8:2)
““Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ “ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’ ”” (Luke 19:24–27)
“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:25)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.” (Revelation 2:11)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)
“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:1–4)
It's always a good idea to examine ourselves like we're told to. Don't fool yourself into thinking you're saved. If there's even the smallest doubt, get right with God and make your salvation sure!
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
!!
