One of Jesus’ most famous parables is the one titled, “The Sower of the Seeds”. In this classic account Jesus explains the state of mankind’s readiness to receive the message of the Kingdom. We are told, that some people are like the soil by the roadside, completely unable to receive the Word. Then some are like onto rocky soil, receiving the Word, but when the slightest bit of persecution arises they wither and run from their original conviction. Furthermore, some are likened onto soil filled with thorns, that when the cares of the world compete for the things of the spirit they actually choke out the Word and therefore nullify the fruitfulness of the Kingdom. In fact only the fertile soil we are told is able to bear fruit and the more fertile the soil the more fruit it produces.
So the question is what kind of soil are you? Most believers, when confronted with this question, immediately respond “fertile soil”. But let’s look closer at the qualities of the “fertile soil”. The Bible says, in Mark 4:20 "And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the Word, and receive it”. This verse clearly tells us that fertile soil not only hears the Word, but it receives the Word. Another Gospel states that they “holdfast to it”. In either case, the intention is that people who are fertile soil, are obedient to the Word and hold fast to the Word, regardless of any of life’s situations. The greater the level of obedience the more fertile the soil. The more fertile the soil the more fruit that comes forth.
Therefore, we need to do a little gardening. Check your soil for rocks and thorns. Does the commitment of the Word make you uncomfortable and cause you to wither away? Do the cares of this world distract you from your pursuit of the Kingdom? I think it’s time to check your soil!
