In the parable of the sower, Jesus talks about a farmer sowing seed.
Some of the seed is snatched away, some lands on rocky soil and doesn’t take deep root, and some starts to grow but is choked out by thorns.
In verse 15 he says: “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.”
He says the seed is God’s word. Those with noble and good hearts hear it, retain it, and persevere to produce a “crop.” A crop is the work of God in and through your life for his own kingdom.
We can easily miss that everything traces back to the seed. Make no mistake. God’s word grows God’s work. The word and the work are inseparable. If we just focus on his word and not on the difference it makes in how we live our lives we are hypocrites.
And if we just focus on good deeds to the neglect of the word we may (a) mistakenly start to think that we can earn God’s eternal favour and heaven (which his word says we can’t), or (b) start to live and act in a way that is actually contrary to his word.
Maybe this is a strange suggestion, but let’s say this together out loud: God’s word grows God’s work. God’s word is powerful and effective. Like a seed, it grows in and through those who seek to be good soil. The resulting crop is a blessing of faith, hope and love to the people around you.
Who wouldn’t want to let their lives be a crop of God’s blessing!
God’s word grows God’s work.
Notes:
–Today’s devotional is connected to my latest sermon which is based on Luke 8:4-15 and is called “God’s dirt, word and work.” Click here to watch or listen.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.
The Up Devotional 