2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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WHAT KIND OF FAITH?
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22
Mark 4:1-20
1 Corinthians 2:12-14
“And he taught them many
things by parables…”
WHAT KIND OF FAITH?
The parable of the sower/seed/soil is one of the most preached parables of Jesus. It is also one of the few parables where Jesus explained its meaning.
This parable seeks to teach what true faith is. The wayside refers to those who are totally void of faith. Stony and thorny places describe those who have false faith. The good soil describes those who possess true faith. True faith is manifested by perseverance and fruitfulness: “he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [i.e. receives, keeps] it; which also beareth fruit…” (Matt 13:23). The Apostle James who heard Jesus rightly taught in his epistle that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). True faith is a persevering faith that overcomes trials and temptations (Rev 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21), and will produce the fruit of the Spirit—“love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” etc. (Gal 5:22,23).
Why did Jesus speak to the people in parables? He spoke to them in parables not only to reveal but also to conceal truths. To true believers and disciples of Christ, the parables were given for their edification. The Holy Spirit will help them to understand the “mysteries of the kingdom.” These “mysteries” are truths hidden in the past but now revealed in Christ (Matt 13:35). Such spiritual truths are spiritually discerned by Spirit-indwelt men; the Spirit teaching them by “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor 2:12-14).
To unbelievers and false believers, the parables were given for their destruction. The reprobate who stubbornly reject Christ and His Word are punitively dealt with by God. The Pharisees, scribes, and their followers had been rejecting wilfully and repeatedly the Lord Jesus and His Word, and even attributed all the good that He had done to Satan. So, God in judgment blinded them to the truth so that they would never receive it and be saved. God’s judgment had already fallen on them.
THOUGHT: Be ready to receive, not criticise God’s Word.
PRAYER: Lord, make me to understand Thy Word.