Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Do you ever notice how the things which you don’t care about you tend not to remember, much less do at all?
If someone isn’t interested in a class in school they may become distracted, bored, and just overall not care whether they hear what is being taught or not. They may be sitting in class physically, but their minds might be elsewhere as the words which hit their ears simply “bounce off” and do nothing for them. It just doesn’t benefit them at all.
Well someone can sit in a church pew on a Sunday, stare directly at the pastor in the front, but the words coming from his mouth are like the rain hitting a glass window. They just do not have any effect on their life. Similar to a seed planted into the dirt, if the water does not reach the seed so that it begins to sprout and grow it will remain unfruitful.
But you see, fruit is what we want as a Christian. We want the things of God to have an effect on our lives so that we can abide in His Word, and follow His teachings. We want to become mature in our faith so that someday we can be a part of the growing process of someone else as they begin their faith in Jesus. It takes growth, though, and it starts by letting the Word of God into our minds.
Matthew 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Even just hearing the Word of God isn’t enough, if you don’t do what it teaches. It must result in an action for growth and fruit to happen. It ties in with what James taught, that faith without works is dead. Meaning, you can say that you believe in Jesus, and that you have faith in Him, but unless that claim of faith is backed up by the evidence of some kind of action, then it is a “dead” faith. No actions= no faith. You must be able to show by your actions the result of an active faith.
It really does start with if you allow God’s Word into your mind or not. Instead of leaving it “knocking at the door,” will you be the one who opens up the depths of your soul and mind? Will you let that water reach the seed, so that it may grow, and grow, and finally reach the point where it becomes fruitful?
Just as you can see the difference between a plant which has been given fertilizer and nutrients, you will be able to see the difference when someone has taken the things of God’s Word and applied it to their life. It will be evident by their fruit.
James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Hear, and do. The Word of God in, an action-filled, fruitful life out.
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 