now, the ones (sown) in good soil, these exist those hearing (the word) in a fertile and good heart, holding on to the word (understanding) also (who now) bear fruit in endurance (also producing some hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty).*(*)
The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground and the seed sprouts and grows though he knows not how, the soil produces a crop of its own accord, first the growing grain, the head of grain, then the full grain.* The seed is planted, it grows deep roots, the seedling grows up to maturity, bearing fruit. "Unless a kernel of grain falls to the ground dying, it remains a single grain, now, if it dies producing a great harvest." The seed must die, "the one loving His life in this world loses it and the one hating his life in this world preserves it."* In the parable of sowing we will see the good soil is a heart that is fertile ground, it loses its earthly life to gain true life. To serve Jesus we must follow His example, laying down our earthly lives, then our heavenly Father will honor us as He did Jesus. The kingdom of God Jesus said is a like a man sowing good seed and at night when he sleeps his adversary comes sowing weeds.* In this we see the wheat and the tare look the same, their roots are intertwined, and it is at maturity, fruit bearing season when we can distinguish the difference. With these principles of the kingdom of God in place let us look further at the kingdom of God in regards to growth.
all hearing the word of the kingdom and not understanding, the evil one comes and snatches that sown in his heart, this is that sown along the path.*
Luke writes the seed is trampled underfoot by the sower, and the devil snatches it away so they do not believe and are saved.* In this first part there is unbelief. For children of God there is a time of being a child, as James writes there are those hearing the word but are not doers of the word, these are not mature. A child looks into the truth as in a mirror and immediately forgets what they were like.* There are wheat and there are tare, and there are seedlings and mature plants that bear fruit. How do we differentiate the wheat from the tare? And a child from the mature? The children of God are those who hear the word of truth, the gospel of their salvation and believe these are marked with the Spirit or born into the kingdom of God.* As children John writes they know the Father and that their sins are forgiven.* Paul writes there is a testimony of Spirit which testifies they are children and pours out God's love in their hearts. There is also a testimony of blood, testifying they are forgiven, having peace before God. John writes, a child knows the Father and that their sins are forgiven. There is internal testimony but can we distinguish them by fruit? No, only a mature plant bears fruit. So how do you discipline a child?
Now, that falling on rocky ground are those when hearing the word receive with joy but they have no root, like as believing for a time and in time of testing fall away.*
The goal of growth is maturity. Godly discipline is that we share in His character.* To mature they must endure and to endure they must have deep roots. The question then becomes how to establish a child, or asked another way how way how do we give them a strong foundation. The concept is that those born of God, in whom His seed dwells, these will not continue in sin but will grow up in knowledge of the Son. We grow up truth in love, into the full measure of the image of Christ.* How I discipline my children should be how God disciplines His. Is the discipline of God so we profit in this world? I heard a Christian say I am going to discipline my children so they are successful in life. Another said I will teach them to fear and obey authority, at least they will be law abiding citizens. Jesus said if I gain the whole world and loose my soul it is of no benefit to me.* In fact to gain my life in the kingdom of God I must lose my earthly life. The seed must die, and the soil must be fertile and good and the roots must grow deep to bring about maturity. What kind of plant bears fruit? A mature plant. So what is beneficial in regards to growth of children? Paul writes what counts is being a new creation.* And it is faith energized in love.* So we see the things that give them roots. Now, abides, faith, hope, and love. A child should not be under judgement and condemnation, but should know they can boldly approach a loving Father who sits on a throne of grace.
for the Law nothing perfected, now, the introduction of a better hope through whom we draw near to God.*
Perfection in the scriptures is growing up into maturity. The Mosaic Law with its commandments, rules, and regulations, and fear of punishment did not perfect men because of the weakness of the flesh. So will such perfect my child? The Law given to Moses judged and condemned but grace and truth came in Jesus Christ. Judgement and condemnation or grace and truth? God was rich in mercy through His great love for us though we were dead in our trespasses and sin God made us alive in Christ Jesus. If the Law did not perfect and give life why would I go back to it to perfect children? The Law used fear but God does not give us a spirit of fear but power, love and a sound mind. "Exists no fear in love but perfecting love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, now, the one fearing is not perfected in love."* Perfection is maturity and it is reached not through fear but love. It is not that God doesn't use fear, he does in the proper season, and will use to turn us from a path not good for us, and when we do he is quick to grasp us in His arms, loving us. Satan can enter in through fear and sorrow, so these are used with caution and at the proper phase of growth.
now, that sown on rocks, these hear the word and receive it with joy, now, having no root in themselves but exist a short time, when suffering or persecution comes on account of the word, they fall away.*
Mathew adds that the ones who are not deeply rooted will not endure persecution or trials of this world. Maturity is attained by looking into the truth, not being a forgetful hearer but a doer, one who practices truth. The proving of the genuineness of our faith is in the testing. The trial is a proving ground and what is needed is endurance, and when endurance has done its work, it produces maturity.* The proving is the rite of passage of the child into adulthood, and without deep roots, without a solid foundation the child will not endure the proving or storm. Peter talks about this, that through the suffering, the glory of God is being revealed in us.* This means we are growing up, transformed into glory, into the image of Christ. To grow up, to mature the child must endure, so how does the child endure? The bond of love leads to perfection. Perfection is in truth and love, thus we grow up, truth in love.* How is a child deeply rooted?
Christ dwelling in your hearts though faith, rooted and grounded in love.*
The parable of sowing states the the ones having no roots will not endure and fall away. In the trial, it is the proving, the rite of passage into maturity thus those who endure have been rooted and grounded, truth in love. Or as Paul writes what strengthens them is faith energized in love. We grow up into Christ, truth in love. Or the bond of love leads to perfection. If maturity is achieved through looking intently into truth and enduring and it is love that leads to maturity then being rooted and grounded faith in love is how we endure. Having no root in them, they do not endure. James writes that the trial is a proving in which endurance brings about fruit of maturity.* A child should be rooted and built up in Christ, established in faith.* So unless a child is firmly established, rooted and grounded, he will not endure the proving and will not grow up to maturity.
now, that sown among thorns, these exist the ones hearing the word and worldly cares and the deception of riches choke out the word also becoming unfruitful.*
The devil planted these thorns and the purpose of the thorns is to stop growth of the true seed of God. Luke writes the unmature plants are choked out by cares and riches and pleasures of this life.* Evil wars against the soul, through the weakness of the carnal mind to bring children into captivity to sin. Paul writes all things are lawful to us but some things are not beneficial as these will overpower children.* The riches of this world, desires of the flesh, and pride of life are of this world, and these are what energize the children of this world thus if we live in this world we are overpowered by this energy. If the purpose of the Church is growth then the devil is hard at work choking out children so they do not grow. Paul writes the devil is diligently at work introducing doctrines into the Church so many will fall away.* But the true Church Paul writes grows up children so they are no longer tossed about in deceitful scheming.*
Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven where moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure exists, there will be your heart.*
Jesus said, you can't serve God and earthly possessions therefore I say to you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, drink, wear, life is more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds they neither sow nor reap nor gather into storehouses but God provides for them, how much more valuable are you to God?* Choking weeds; cares of this world and deceit of riches. In no way is seeking first the righteousness of God about money, and sowing is not about receiving back thirty, sixty, and hundred fold the money you give as an offering. Money is a unrighteous mannon or materialistic thing, it is not valued in heaven at all, the streets are paved of gold. The Law with its tithing did not mature men, neither did sacrifice and serving and offerings in the temple perfect those who drew near.* Today, some put first tithing and giving of money as offerings to God, even as worship to God, but if these things do not bring about maturity into Christ how are they beneficial and desired of God? The sacrifice God desires is a body prepared to do His will. Such preparation is about growth, so that we mature into the image of Jesus and bear fruit, some thirty, some sixty, some hundredfold. A heart consecrated to God is precious, good soil, and this soil is not achieved through adherence to laws, giving, serving, tithing... But through entering a reasonable service, presenting the body a living sacrifice unto holiness. If the parable of sowing is about growth and the purpose of the church is growth and the purpose of the weeds is to stop growth then what are those who make the church about anything else? weeds planted by the devil?
The one loving His life in this world loses it and the one hating his life in this world preserves it.*
Many people follow Jesus for the wrong reasons. When Jesus was here on earth he said they followed Him for earthly reasons, and that they should not seek things of this earth, food that perishes but seek that which endures unto everlasting life.* If the heart is focused on this earthly life, then this one will not endure the weeds and mature. The things in this world, the desires of the flesh and eyes, and the pride of life are of the world, so to give up my life is to not love these things.* In regards to having good soil, our hearts must not be focused on the things of the world and we must consecrate our hearts, loosing our lives here to follow Jesus for the right reason. Rooted in love we will overcome through faith, setting our eyes on Jesus, on the things of heaven seen by faith, not focusing on the cares, the circumstances of this life, that seen of earth. James writes a mind judging according to earthly things and unbelief will not receive from God in regards to maturity.
knowing the proving of your faith produces endurance and possessing endurance, having its intended perfection, so that existing mature, whole, lacking in nothing.*
To endure one must look intently into truth and not be a forgetful hearer of the word but a doer, which is one who puts truth into action. Only a mature plant bears fruit. Think of it this way, like an athlete disciplining the body, training, the proving is game time, which is a time to put into practice that they have been training for. This is not being a forgetful hearer but a doer. If during the proving we do not mature, we do not do so good, we go back to training so that next time we may endure. This is the true grace of God in which we stand. It is our calling to play this game, to run this race, it is our purpose and destiny to grow up into the image of Christ.
guard against therefore by what means you hear, for whoever has, given to him and whom not having, also imagining having, it will be taken from him.*
Have you ever looked into truth and unbelief quickly set in, thinking how will I endure? We must lay hold of truth. The parable of talents speaks not to money but this truth about faith, true faith increases in measure. Those born of God, His seed dwells within and they will overcome. Guard against by what means you hear, do not be led away by appeals to your fleshly desires, and that not of faith that increases. The faith of Abraham says we do not judge according to unbelief, which is an earthly focus on its cares, riches, pleasures, but we are strengthened in faith until we are fully convinced of the promises of God. Not enduring the proving because of the cares of this earth is an earthly focus of unbelief. Like the song, when we turn our eyes upon Jesus, the things of this earthly grow dim. Through faith we overcome and love leads us on. In the trial we entrust ourselves to God, we get into the word so to increase our faith and we stand in grace. There is no condemnation in Christ. We are able to overcome through faith. This is something we can teach our children so they are rooted and founded. There are many things we can teach our children about agape love, hope, and faith. If they are taught these things, firmly established, not building their house upon sand but upon the words of Jesus then they in season will endure the proving and growing up into maturity. This is what the parable of sowing states. These are the things of the kingdom of God, He who has ears let him hear! It is a blessing to hear the things of God and to have understanding.
now, that in good soil, these exist those hearing from a fertile and good heart, holding on to the word, also bearing fruit in endurance.*
How does a child grow up? How does one look into truth and endure? How does one look into the perfect law, the one that provides Liberty, which exists the words of Jesus, and endure? How do I live up to that which I see in a mirror? I am blessed having revelation of truth, to see the truth. Now, how do I practice it, live it, walk in it, bring it forth to bear fruit? I must lay hold of the word and bear fruit in endurance. I see the truth but because of the carnal mind it begins to fade, I must lay hold of the truth and bear fruit in endurance. I must have a fertile heart, one that does not love the things of this world. I must abide in the Vine. I must remain in the Vine, laying hold of the word of life, not turning back but bearing fruit in endurance. In the proving I am strengthened in faith, until the work of endurance brings about maturity. The proving is that I exist mature, and "prove" the things of God as good and acceptable. This is the process of growth in the new covenant where those mature reflect the image of Christ, who hear, receive, and are deeply rooted in good soil of faith and love, a heart consecrated to God, who grow up in knowledge of the Son, producing fruit in endurance, some hundred, some sixty, some thirty.
A mature plant bears fruit.
The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground and the seed sprouts and grows though he knows not how, the soil produces a crop of its own accord, first the growing grain, the head of grain, then the full grain.* The seed is planted, it grows deep roots, the seedling grows up to maturity, bearing fruit. "Unless a kernel of grain falls to the ground dying, it remains a single grain, now, if it dies producing a great harvest." The seed must die, "the one loving His life in this world loses it and the one hating his life in this world preserves it."* In the parable of sowing we will see the good soil is a heart that is fertile ground, it loses its earthly life to gain true life. To serve Jesus we must follow His example, laying down our earthly lives, then our heavenly Father will honor us as He did Jesus. The kingdom of God Jesus said is a like a man sowing good seed and at night when he sleeps his adversary comes sowing weeds.* In this we see the wheat and the tare look the same, their roots are intertwined, and it is at maturity, fruit bearing season when we can distinguish the difference. With these principles of the kingdom of God in place let us look further at the kingdom of God in regards to growth.
all hearing the word of the kingdom and not understanding, the evil one comes and snatches that sown in his heart, this is that sown along the path.*
Luke writes the seed is trampled underfoot by the sower, and the devil snatches it away so they do not believe and are saved.* In this first part there is unbelief. For children of God there is a time of being a child, as James writes there are those hearing the word but are not doers of the word, these are not mature. A child looks into the truth as in a mirror and immediately forgets what they were like.* There are wheat and there are tare, and there are seedlings and mature plants that bear fruit. How do we differentiate the wheat from the tare? And a child from the mature? The children of God are those who hear the word of truth, the gospel of their salvation and believe these are marked with the Spirit or born into the kingdom of God.* As children John writes they know the Father and that their sins are forgiven.* Paul writes there is a testimony of Spirit which testifies they are children and pours out God's love in their hearts. There is also a testimony of blood, testifying they are forgiven, having peace before God. John writes, a child knows the Father and that their sins are forgiven. There is internal testimony but can we distinguish them by fruit? No, only a mature plant bears fruit. So how do you discipline a child?
Now, that falling on rocky ground are those when hearing the word receive with joy but they have no root, like as believing for a time and in time of testing fall away.*
The goal of growth is maturity. Godly discipline is that we share in His character.* To mature they must endure and to endure they must have deep roots. The question then becomes how to establish a child, or asked another way how way how do we give them a strong foundation. The concept is that those born of God, in whom His seed dwells, these will not continue in sin but will grow up in knowledge of the Son. We grow up truth in love, into the full measure of the image of Christ.* How I discipline my children should be how God disciplines His. Is the discipline of God so we profit in this world? I heard a Christian say I am going to discipline my children so they are successful in life. Another said I will teach them to fear and obey authority, at least they will be law abiding citizens. Jesus said if I gain the whole world and loose my soul it is of no benefit to me.* In fact to gain my life in the kingdom of God I must lose my earthly life. The seed must die, and the soil must be fertile and good and the roots must grow deep to bring about maturity. What kind of plant bears fruit? A mature plant. So what is beneficial in regards to growth of children? Paul writes what counts is being a new creation.* And it is faith energized in love.* So we see the things that give them roots. Now, abides, faith, hope, and love. A child should not be under judgement and condemnation, but should know they can boldly approach a loving Father who sits on a throne of grace.for the Law nothing perfected, now, the introduction of a better hope through whom we draw near to God.*
Perfection in the scriptures is growing up into maturity. The Mosaic Law with its commandments, rules, and regulations, and fear of punishment did not perfect men because of the weakness of the flesh. So will such perfect my child? The Law given to Moses judged and condemned but grace and truth came in Jesus Christ. Judgement and condemnation or grace and truth? God was rich in mercy through His great love for us though we were dead in our trespasses and sin God made us alive in Christ Jesus. If the Law did not perfect and give life why would I go back to it to perfect children? The Law used fear but God does not give us a spirit of fear but power, love and a sound mind. "Exists no fear in love but perfecting love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, now, the one fearing is not perfected in love."* Perfection is maturity and it is reached not through fear but love. It is not that God doesn't use fear, he does in the proper season, and will use to turn us from a path not good for us, and when we do he is quick to grasp us in His arms, loving us. Satan can enter in through fear and sorrow, so these are used with caution and at the proper phase of growth.
now, that sown on rocks, these hear the word and receive it with joy, now, having no root in themselves but exist a short time, when suffering or persecution comes on account of the word, they fall away.*
Mathew adds that the ones who are not deeply rooted will not endure persecution or trials of this world. Maturity is attained by looking into the truth, not being a forgetful hearer but a doer, one who practices truth. The proving of the genuineness of our faith is in the testing. The trial is a proving ground and what is needed is endurance, and when endurance has done its work, it produces maturity.* The proving is the rite of passage of the child into adulthood, and without deep roots, without a solid foundation the child will not endure the proving or storm. Peter talks about this, that through the suffering, the glory of God is being revealed in us.* This means we are growing up, transformed into glory, into the image of Christ. To grow up, to mature the child must endure, so how does the child endure? The bond of love leads to perfection. Perfection is in truth and love, thus we grow up, truth in love.* How is a child deeply rooted?
Christ dwelling in your hearts though faith, rooted and grounded in love.*
The parable of sowing states the the ones having no roots will not endure and fall away. In the trial, it is the proving, the rite of passage into maturity thus those who endure have been rooted and grounded, truth in love. Or as Paul writes what strengthens them is faith energized in love. We grow up into Christ, truth in love. Or the bond of love leads to perfection. If maturity is achieved through looking intently into truth and enduring and it is love that leads to maturity then being rooted and grounded faith in love is how we endure. Having no root in them, they do not endure. James writes that the trial is a proving in which endurance brings about fruit of maturity.* A child should be rooted and built up in Christ, established in faith.* So unless a child is firmly established, rooted and grounded, he will not endure the proving and will not grow up to maturity.
now, that sown among thorns, these exist the ones hearing the word and worldly cares and the deception of riches choke out the word also becoming unfruitful.*
The devil planted these thorns and the purpose of the thorns is to stop growth of the true seed of God. Luke writes the unmature plants are choked out by cares and riches and pleasures of this life.* Evil wars against the soul, through the weakness of the carnal mind to bring children into captivity to sin. Paul writes all things are lawful to us but some things are not beneficial as these will overpower children.* The riches of this world, desires of the flesh, and pride of life are of this world, and these are what energize the children of this world thus if we live in this world we are overpowered by this energy. If the purpose of the Church is growth then the devil is hard at work choking out children so they do not grow. Paul writes the devil is diligently at work introducing doctrines into the Church so many will fall away.* But the true Church Paul writes grows up children so they are no longer tossed about in deceitful scheming.*
Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven where moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure exists, there will be your heart.*
Jesus said, you can't serve God and earthly possessions therefore I say to you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, drink, wear, life is more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds they neither sow nor reap nor gather into storehouses but God provides for them, how much more valuable are you to God?* Choking weeds; cares of this world and deceit of riches. In no way is seeking first the righteousness of God about money, and sowing is not about receiving back thirty, sixty, and hundred fold the money you give as an offering. Money is a unrighteous mannon or materialistic thing, it is not valued in heaven at all, the streets are paved of gold. The Law with its tithing did not mature men, neither did sacrifice and serving and offerings in the temple perfect those who drew near.* Today, some put first tithing and giving of money as offerings to God, even as worship to God, but if these things do not bring about maturity into Christ how are they beneficial and desired of God? The sacrifice God desires is a body prepared to do His will. Such preparation is about growth, so that we mature into the image of Jesus and bear fruit, some thirty, some sixty, some hundredfold. A heart consecrated to God is precious, good soil, and this soil is not achieved through adherence to laws, giving, serving, tithing... But through entering a reasonable service, presenting the body a living sacrifice unto holiness. If the parable of sowing is about growth and the purpose of the church is growth and the purpose of the weeds is to stop growth then what are those who make the church about anything else? weeds planted by the devil?
The one loving His life in this world loses it and the one hating his life in this world preserves it.*
Many people follow Jesus for the wrong reasons. When Jesus was here on earth he said they followed Him for earthly reasons, and that they should not seek things of this earth, food that perishes but seek that which endures unto everlasting life.* If the heart is focused on this earthly life, then this one will not endure the weeds and mature. The things in this world, the desires of the flesh and eyes, and the pride of life are of the world, so to give up my life is to not love these things.* In regards to having good soil, our hearts must not be focused on the things of the world and we must consecrate our hearts, loosing our lives here to follow Jesus for the right reason. Rooted in love we will overcome through faith, setting our eyes on Jesus, on the things of heaven seen by faith, not focusing on the cares, the circumstances of this life, that seen of earth. James writes a mind judging according to earthly things and unbelief will not receive from God in regards to maturity.
knowing the proving of your faith produces endurance and possessing endurance, having its intended perfection, so that existing mature, whole, lacking in nothing.*
To endure one must look intently into truth and not be a forgetful hearer of the word but a doer, which is one who puts truth into action. Only a mature plant bears fruit. Think of it this way, like an athlete disciplining the body, training, the proving is game time, which is a time to put into practice that they have been training for. This is not being a forgetful hearer but a doer. If during the proving we do not mature, we do not do so good, we go back to training so that next time we may endure. This is the true grace of God in which we stand. It is our calling to play this game, to run this race, it is our purpose and destiny to grow up into the image of Christ.
guard against therefore by what means you hear, for whoever has, given to him and whom not having, also imagining having, it will be taken from him.*
Have you ever looked into truth and unbelief quickly set in, thinking how will I endure? We must lay hold of truth. The parable of talents speaks not to money but this truth about faith, true faith increases in measure. Those born of God, His seed dwells within and they will overcome. Guard against by what means you hear, do not be led away by appeals to your fleshly desires, and that not of faith that increases. The faith of Abraham says we do not judge according to unbelief, which is an earthly focus on its cares, riches, pleasures, but we are strengthened in faith until we are fully convinced of the promises of God. Not enduring the proving because of the cares of this earth is an earthly focus of unbelief. Like the song, when we turn our eyes upon Jesus, the things of this earthly grow dim. Through faith we overcome and love leads us on. In the trial we entrust ourselves to God, we get into the word so to increase our faith and we stand in grace. There is no condemnation in Christ. We are able to overcome through faith. This is something we can teach our children so they are rooted and founded. There are many things we can teach our children about agape love, hope, and faith. If they are taught these things, firmly established, not building their house upon sand but upon the words of Jesus then they in season will endure the proving and growing up into maturity. This is what the parable of sowing states. These are the things of the kingdom of God, He who has ears let him hear! It is a blessing to hear the things of God and to have understanding.
now, that in good soil, these exist those hearing from a fertile and good heart, holding on to the word, also bearing fruit in endurance.*
How does a child grow up? How does one look into truth and endure? How does one look into the perfect law, the one that provides Liberty, which exists the words of Jesus, and endure? How do I live up to that which I see in a mirror? I am blessed having revelation of truth, to see the truth. Now, how do I practice it, live it, walk in it, bring it forth to bear fruit? I must lay hold of the word and bear fruit in endurance. I see the truth but because of the carnal mind it begins to fade, I must lay hold of the truth and bear fruit in endurance. I must have a fertile heart, one that does not love the things of this world. I must abide in the Vine. I must remain in the Vine, laying hold of the word of life, not turning back but bearing fruit in endurance. In the proving I am strengthened in faith, until the work of endurance brings about maturity. The proving is that I exist mature, and "prove" the things of God as good and acceptable. This is the process of growth in the new covenant where those mature reflect the image of Christ, who hear, receive, and are deeply rooted in good soil of faith and love, a heart consecrated to God, who grow up in knowledge of the Son, producing fruit in endurance, some hundred, some sixty, some thirty.
A mature plant bears fruit.