2 Words in 1

Sown among Thorns
Those who are Sincere…

 

Sown among Thorns

I find that I am always amazed, that often times, the disciples of the Lord did not even know what He was teaching about. It is clear, in more than one place, that after everyone had gone, or they had left a certain place, they asked Him things in private. This parable about the sower, is one of those things.

We are living in an hour that we need to have a full understanding of what the Spirit is saying to the Church. We not only have to have an ear to hear; we actually need to be doers also!

We can have all of the exhortation we want, but if we are not willing to act on it, nothing changes. Sometimes, the Spirit whispers things in our ear; things that help to guide us and make us aware. But at other times, He want us to heed what He is saying; to actually do what He has asked us to do.

Jesus said, that there are those such as hear the word, but they are hindered, with the cares of this world. One writer described it as cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age.

The second thing Jesus cited, was the deceitfulness of riches. Notice the word, deceitfulness. Even if someone manages to get the Word to some people, if they even hear it, they do not take it to heart because they are too busy running after the money. The love of money, deceives people; thinking they don’t need God.

The lusts for other things; one describes it as a craving and passionate desire for other things. One sign of the perilous times we are in, is many are lovers of pleasure, more than lovers of God. It’s not about us having things. Jesus said, it was about all of these things entering into our minds and hearts and they choke the Word. Therefore, the Word we have heard, becomes unfruitful.

We need to understand now, that if we really do have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church, we have a genuine desire to follow the Spirit also. If we didn’t want to follow anyway, it is also likely, that we are not truly listening either. It’s doubtful, that any person would be interested in what the Spirit says, with no intention to follow Him.

We will have to accept that there are those who aren’t going to listen to what some have to say; even if the Spirit has led them to say it. They do not want to hear; and they have no intention of doing anything different. I realize today, that what the Spirit wants said, has to be said; no matter whether people hear it or obey it or not.

People have to be warned; they have to be told; whether they listen, or don’t listen.

Someone may ask, why? Because, that is the way God is! God is much more just and loving than so many of us can relate to. God is Love. We don’t get that. He does not wish that anyone should perish. He believes in giving people a chance. Some feel, that God just vehemently dispatches wrath; even without forethought.

I heard something years back, that caused me to reconsider. It was about a certain recovery program. One source, said that it was not for those who needed it. It was for those who wanted it. I didn’t get that at first; today, I do.

Some of us are attempting to pour out our hearts on here in Facebook and in other places, as we can. We know well, that a lot of it is falling on deaf ears. We have seen, just in the last few years, mostly from being here, that we are talking to brick walls with many people. They are determined they are not going to change their views; they don’t hear you and they don’t believe or accept what you’re saying. They’re indifferent; you can’t move them. But, I have also found, that there are kindred spirits and hungry souls, who are desperate to hear life-giving words. They are moved, and truly grateful.

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Those who are Sincere…

How does one start this subject? I have asked myself a real intent question these days. You see, I was reading along in a well discussed area of the Book and I happened to read something that I never actually noticed fully before. I think, one of the first things that we need to say, is we really had no right to tell people they had no honest and true relationship with the Lord. Because they did not line up with everything we were told, we decided that they didn’t know Him, really, at all.

I don’t claim to be a Bible thumper; not really. Throwing scriptures at those people didn’t ever make much difference in their lives; especially if we did not go about it in the right manner. I want to quote a verse, that is at the very end of Ephesians. It says, “Grace be with them all, that Love Jesus Christ in sincerity.” Could it be, that we looked over some things in our reading of scriptures, because it did not always agree with our theology?

I know, that one of the first things people used to reply, is something that the Lord said Himself. “If you love me, keep my commandments.” I believe that. But the problem with telling people that, is that most of us, do not even know what the commandments of Jesus Christ were. Ask yourself!

The greatest commandment that Jesus gave, seems to be the one that many have the most difficult time doing. I realize, that if someone is truly a blatant sinner as we say, and lives as dirty and low down as they can, it might be permissible to think they do not love the Lord. But that’s too easy. I can’t and won’t name denominations or other religions, where people lived good lives; they were honest, loving, kind, were well respected in the community, worked with a good spirit among the town folk, provided well for their families, and let’s say it, were faithful as far as we knew, to their mates. But we thought they had nothing; they were in no way “spiritual” and they could not possibly have a serious relationship with Jesus Christ!

What comes to me today, was that we were told in numerous places, that there would be false brethren, false apostles, false prophets and even false teachers, in the church. Right up in the middle, among us.

There were a number of folk in every place, with a bad spirit, envious and jealous, and always causing some kind of division; gossiping and backbiting. But just because they dressed like, looked like and pretended to act like they had the real thing, they got to stay in the group. Nobody would dare tell any of them, that they were not going to Heaven; that they were headed to Hell.

We’ve got to face the reality, that many people passed through this life, without knowing Jesus Christ, as we say we do. It’s likely, that many may not have even heard of Him. Throw me out if you want to, but I do not and cannot believe, that God would toss them in Hell; just because we did not get to them in time; or lost interest.

Paul prayed for grace, to be extended to all those, who were sincere about their love for the Lord. We would not give them any fellowship or treat them as brothers and sisters, because we didn’t think they were sincere enough; and some still don’t.

I met and knew, some wonderful men and women, from other kinds of churches. They had some of the greatest spirits, of any people I ever met. Humble, kind and generous, caring, patient, loving, good and gentle. You’ve known them too. What do these traits sound like to you. They do know Him, Sincerely?

 

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Robert Blackburn