“The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.” (Matthew 13:19 NLT)
In Mark’s Gospel chapter, 4 after Jesus shares His powerful parable of the 4 types of soil, in verse 13 Jesus said: “If you can’t understand this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?” We can debate, as scholars and theologians have for centuries, whether someone who embraces the Gospel is eternally saved, but the message of this parable, from which we’re to gain insight into all the other parables, is clearly that they are not.
In the first example of the seed falling on the footpath, Satan immediately comes and snatches away even the seed of faith before it has any opportunity to take root. Surely this person isn’t saved, but more importantly, what can we learn? How might we gain insight so that when we plants seeds of faith our listeners may have a better opportunity of having them land on the fertile soil of their open heart?
Clearly, for the Gospel to be spoken, even as thousands of God’s messengers share from their pulpits across the world every week, is not always for the Gospel to be heard and understood. Some reasons may be the messenger isn’t actually sharing the “Gospel” as outlined in Scripture, but rather some watered-down version based on their own misunderstanding. Those who proclaim the Mormon doctrines come to mind, but also those in the Catholic or Orthodox traditions or in liberal “Christian” denominations where the name of Christ is rarely spoken except in formal declarations, not from personal, positive experience.
How many in our culture today are professing faith in the living Christ yet are living with or regularly engaging in sex with partners to whom they aren’t married? How many today who are living a homosexual lifestyle yet are professing faith in Christ and believing they are still going to heaven? It’s income tax time, so, we might as well mention those who profess love for Jesus, yet are dishonest in reporting their full income. Ot who claim to “Tithe” their income, but clearly do not?
In our large church only a fraction are members who regularly give, are involved in a small group or even attend services from week to week, yet, if asked, many would readily declare: “Yes, I’m a ‘member’ of _____ Church!” But why? Because they’ve been inoculated to believe being associated with church and knowing and understanding words about Christ makes them a “believer,” thus, a clear candidate for heaven. If asked they may even readily admit their love for and faith in the Risen Christ, but their lifestyle clearly declares “I never knew Him!” They don’t even understand the fundamental teaching of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. Acceptable works only grow out of a meaningful relationship with Jesus.
How many people do we know who have had an emotional experience with the Lord, “a seed planted on shallow soil”, who have never grown or developed any meaningful faith. They continue to live as they always have, yet still believe because of that moment of inspiration that they are going to heaven? It breaks my heart because often they’re the hardest to reach because they’ve had this “experience with Jesus” that is unmistakable, yet not life altering as any deeply planted seed would be.
Honestly, I have no clear answers in how to reach these folks, but if you happen to know someone like this or, perhaps are yourself in this category, please click on ANewStory.com and allow Ron Huthcraft to walk you through a simple, straightforward way to open your heart to the Lord in a life-transforming way.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 