Bring Forth Fruit with Patience

Jesus spoke to the multitude on a parable of a sower (Luke 8:5-8). His disciples would ask the meaning of the parable. In His response, He said:

Luke 8:11-15 – Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 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.

When the Word of God is heard four things can happen (as described in the parable). It is important that we ensure we are able to receive the Word of God in the manner and method that brings forth fruit.

Seeds

The Word of God is described as a seed that enters the heart. In the original Greek translation, the word for heart is translated as the centre of all physical and spiritual life.¹

Seeds Along the Wayside

These seeds are those that heard the Word of God, but the devil took the word out of their hearts for fear that they would believe and be saved. The parable does not give an indication how this may occur (i.e. an event to get the person’s mind off the Word, other people being used), but the devil comes to take away the Word. (In Matthew’s description of this parable, the Word is also taken by the devil because of a lack of understanding – Matthew 13:19.)

Seeds on the Rock

These seeds are those that hear the Word and receive it with joy. However, in times of temptation they fall away because they have no root in God. Here, we find that it is important not only to be joyous of the Word we hear, but to also have roots in Him.

Seeds Fallen Among Thorns

These seeds represent those that go forth and are choked with the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life (1 John 2:15-17). The Word is heard and the person goes out, but will not bring any fruit produced to perfection.

Living as one that does not love the world must be taken with serious intention. The world wants all, and so does the Lord. Neither will move on their desire. If we don’t pay attention (remain watchful – 1 Peter 5:8), the devil is looking for an opportunity to take the Word from us (or allow it to be ineffective in our lives and others). Therefore, we must remain committed to NOT loving the world and everything in it. That means the extra stuff, prideful desires, and high positions. Our focus must be on loving the Lord and doing His will.

Seeds on Good Ground

These seeds are received through a honest and good heart that hears and keeps the Word.

Hearing in this context is not only the audio aspect of receiving the Word of God, but also understanding, attending to, comprehending, and considering what is or has been said.² After hearing the Word of God in this fashion, they keep it. To keep is to take possession of it. ³ The Word becomes theirs – a part of their lives, a member of their ownership. They are living by what they have heard and understood.

The Result

Those who receive the Word with good ground bring forth fruit with patience. This word of patience would assume that a period of time exists between initially facing a time of testing or temptation and the outcome of producing perfected fruit (on earth or before the Lord).

James 1:2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

^{Photo courtesy of iStockPhoto/Natanis Davidsen}

^{1 – http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4703&t=KJV}

^{2 – http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G191&t=KJV}

^{3 – http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2722&t=KJV}