“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, . . . Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture.”
Luke 8:5-6
In this familiar parable, Jesus compared the sowing of seed on various types of terrain to the dispensing of God’s word to various kinds of people. The Lord explained that the seed that fell “on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away” (Luke 8:13). In the parable, the problem was that the seed had no moisture. In the explanation, that there was no root. I believe that both refer to the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has been associated with water since the dawn of creation (Genesis 1:3). Christ the Lord promised His astonished listeners that if they believed in Him, rivers of living water would flow from their hearts. John explained that “this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive” (John 7:39). Paul described the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation with these amazing words: “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit is essential to salvation. Our hearts must be changed (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26-27); Jesus called this being born again (John 3:1-8). The point is that the word of God does us no good if it lodges in the mind but goes no further. Mere intellectual assent to a few biblical propositions accomplishes little. The word must not only be believed with the mind, but it must also sink deep (take root) in a regenerated heart. Only then can the word grow and accomplish its life-transforming work. Only then can a true believer stand firm, walk strong, and hold fast to his profession of faith, despite the many challenges and trials of life. As we read God’s word today, let us not only commit it to our minds, but consciously apply it to our regenerated hearts as well. In so doing, may that word do its Christ-honoring work in us and through us, for God’s glory and the good of those He loves.
God bless you today dear saint
Pastor John
English