Two things stood out to me as I read this chapter, both of them relating to the need and importance of putting into practice what we've heard from God.
Verse 15 - But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Verse 15 - But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Four steps here: 1) hear 2) retain 3) persevere 4) produce crop
It is interesting that producing the crop comes by persevering - keeping going, holding on, being faithful - despite all that life brings our way. This is putting into practice God's word over time.
Verse 21 - He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
Two steps here: 1) hear 2) put into practice
Jesus counts as his close relatives those who are close to God versus the family that came by birth. He elevates the spiritual relationships over the natural relationships.
This is both a good model for us and a cause for great hope! You and I can be Jesus' family! God adopts us and draws us into his family as we trust in Jesus. As we grow in faith in Christ, we also make choices and decisions to obey and do what God says. Clearly we cannot do this on our own, but we still have choices to make and effort to make as we obey Jesus and pursue him. God works in us both to will (to want) and to act in order to fulfill God's good purpose (Philippians 2:13).
So if we recognize that we aren't putting God's word into practice - that it is slipping away - or if we see that we are giving up or getting tired and not persevering, then we need to take action! We need to pray and ask God for help! Ask him to change us, fill us with his Spirit, and we need to choose to pursue God no matter the cost.
Father, please do your work in my heart so that I put into practice and persevere in doing your will! I love you and I thank you for your love!
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