Thorny Ground

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 

                                   Luke 21:34 KJV

Jesus taught with many parables. Perhaps one that is very familiar to us is that of the sower, sowing seed, with it falling upon various types of soil (see Matt 13:1-23).

While we can glean much from identifying the four types of soil Jesus used in this parable, I would mainly like to stick to that of the thorny ground in this post.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns spring up, and choked them.

                                    Matthew 13:7 KJV

The seed is the word, and Jesus explains the thorny ground in verse 22.

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hearth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

                                Matthew 13:22 KJV 

We are expected to receive the word and allow it to shape and mold our lives. The word of God should transform us from the inside out, into the likeness of Christ. It should produce a harvest of fruit in our lives. 

What happens in a garden when weeds are allowed to grow up with the sprouting seeds that were carefully planted just a few weeks earlier?  Those of us who have gardened know that if the weeds are not pulled up, the plants we are expecting to produce a crop will not make it. The weeds will take the water and nutrients out of the soil, block the sun, and ultimately our harvest will be very disappointing.

Just as this is true in the natural world, it is true also in the spiritual. Jesus explains it well in Matthew 6:19-34.

Starting with our "treasures", where are we laying them up? Are we working towards the heavenly kingdom, storing our treasures there for eternity, or are we storing up possessions here on earth? Where our treasures are, is where our hearts are.

People often fool themselves, thinking that this thing, or that hobby, doesn't have my heart, while in reality it does. What consumes our time, money, talents, etc? Suppose a man has a wife whom he says he loves. He works a 40 hour week, stops by the bar for a drink with friends on his way home, after supper turns on the football game, falls asleep in his chair until midnight. He does this several times a week. Weekends are spent with the "guys." Fishing, golf, and hunting consume most of the weekend. Sure, he does spend some time with his wife, but can he honestly say that she has his heart? Who or what really does hold his affection?

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

                                Matthew 6:24 KJV

That is what Jesus says about our treasure. What about the cares and necessities of life? If we read on in Matthew, Jesus tells us not to worry about food and clothing. These are the things, He tells us, that the "Gentiles" (the world) eagerly seek after. Our focus, our priority, is to seek His kingdom and righteousness. He will take care of us, making sure that our needs are met.

What does that tell us about the cares of life? It is so easy to be consumed by them, losing our focus on what really matters. Just like treasures that steal our hearts, the cares of life can just as easily take our hearts as well. Stress and worry are signs that our hearts are in the wrong place. If one follows the context of Jesus' teaching here we see that He links our treasures to our hearts, the focus of our "eye" to serving one master only, and then says, "Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" These things can become our masters too according to Jesus.

Too many of us are working for nothing more than to make ends meet. Does Jesus forbid work? No, I don't believe that for a minute. However, our focus still must be on the advancement of His kingdom. That is our main objective in life as Christians. We have to eat, we need clothing, and jobs provide the necessary income to purchase these things. Yet, if we let our need for the basics of life become our pursuit, we are again trying to serve two masters. This is the danger of thorny ground. The word gets choked out every time.

Jesus, in speaking about the last days leading up to His return, warns against becoming caught up with loose living, and being weighed down with the cares of life. The day of the LORD will come like a trap on all who are not carefully watching for it (Luke 21:34). To be consumed by these things flies out of a heart of unbelief. Jesus, once while teaching about prayer, asks, " When the Son of man returns, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)

Instead of anxiety, we are to take our needs to God in prayer, leaving them there in God's hands (Philippians 4:6-7). 

Then we read this warning in Hebrews 6:7-8,

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God.

But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and us nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

This steps on toes, and I am stepping on mine also. It is so easy to get caught up in either the pursuit of things, or the cares of life. Just like a farmer who fertilizes and waters his field expects a good yield, so too God expects us to bear much fruit for Him. He blesses us and gives us whatever we need, so how can we justify it when all He gets from us is thorns and thistles? 

Jeremiah the prophet's ministery to the southern kingdom of Judah began just before, and continued during the early years of the Babylonian captivity. His message was primarily that of impending judgement, however we do see a call to repentance that is just as relevant for us today,

For this saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up the fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

                              Jeremiah 4:3-4 KJV

To repent is to return to the LORD. It involves putting away our abominations (Jeremiah 4:1). This is painful, and we must be thorough. As someone who has had a garden, and then let it go, I can relate to breaking it up so it is useful again. It's not easy to run that tiller through that hard packed ground, roots and weeds wrapping themselves around the tines.

Fallow ground is soil that has been allowed to lie dormant over time. It becomes overgrown, with roots tangled up below the surface. It needs to be broken up with a plow if it is to be useful again. All those weeds have to go, roots and all.

Just like the parable of the sower, Jeremiah uses the figure of thorny, fallow ground to make a spiritual point. Many Christians today slowly neglect things in their lives over time. Often, without realizing it, they have been caught up with the cares of life and the pursuit of money or possessions. Their once soft hearts have become hard and unyielding. This fallow ground of the heart must be deeply plowed. The soil must be turned up and the thorns and weeds must be thoroughly pulled up. All of it must go so that we have a soft, tender heart once again. Then when the word of the kingdom is sown it has a chance to grow and mature into a bountiful harvest. It is not easy work. The things that steal our hearts away from Jesus have to be pulled up by the roots. This is repentance, to cut out sin, to turn away from it, and return to Jesus, with a heart once again devoted to Him.

Go After Your Brother!

     "What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?
     "If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.
     "So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish."
                                       Matthew 18:12-14 NASB

     Jesus continues the theme of true greatness (Matt 18:4). We see, in this portion of scripture (Matt 18:1-35), that we have a responsibility toward our brother; to watch over him, to ensure that we do not cause him to stumble, and to see that if he does, we do what we can to bring him back. This requires great humility. The common reaction is to let others do as they will, we will only worry about ourselves.
     We see from the above verses, that Christ is concerned for the individual who has gone astray. This illustration of a shepherd leaving the ninety-nine, to search for the one, leads us to His teaching on restoring a brother caught in sin.
     The Apostle Paul gives us similar instruction as well.

     Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted."
                                              Galatians 6:1 NASB

     James has this to say,

     My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,
     let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
                                             James 5:19-20 NASB

     We have this very important principle confirmed in the New Testament by the mouth of two or three witnesses (2 Cor 13:1), so why do we fail to put it into practice in so many instances today?`
     Jesus gives us a pattern to follow in the event a brother sins against us (Matt 18:15-20). The objective is the restoration of the sinning brother, and the healing of the broken relationship.
     In the event of a brother sinning against you, first go to him in private. At this point, this is between you, and the person who offended you. I believe that if people would gently, but honestly confront an individual, in a true spirit of love, it would go a long way to restoring fellowship, and in keeping a brother from straying from the faith.
     If however, your efforts do not reclaim your brother; he will not hear you, bring one or two others along with you, and try again. By bringing others in to help, it enforces the seriousness of the situation, and also ensures that things are done lovingly, and in truth.
     Sadly, sometimes it takes a little more effort to reclaim a sinning brother, and if he will not hear the two or three, then the Church must become involved. By this point things are more serious. The problem is no longer between you and another. The Church is also affected, because the refusal of the sinning brother to repent, also brings a reproach upon the body of Christ. True Christian fellowship and unity is dependent upon our submission to Christ, and our submission to, and love for each other (Phil 2:2; Col 3:12-14; 1 Peter 5:5; 1 John 1:7). Once again, the objective is to see a brother who has gone astray restored to fellowship. If he now sees the error of his ways, and humbly confesses his sin, turning from it, he has been reclaimed.
     If, at this point, he will still not turn from his sin, the only recourse is to break fellowship with the unrepentant individual. This seems harsh to many, but once again, the goal is restoration. This is actually tough love, with the intent that a "shunned" individual will come to the realization of his need of reconciliation. It would be important for the church to be in prayer for this individual, seeking that God would turn his heart back to the truth.
     The Apostle Paul rebuked the Corinthian Church for failing to go through this process with an individual who was in sexual sin. He called them arrogant for their acceptance of this unrepentant brother, and commanded them to turn the man out of fellowship. His goal was twofold. He desired that the individual would come to his senses and repent, and he was also jealously guarding the Church from further corruption (1 Cor 5:1-13).
     Again, this seems harsh to many. People view this as being judgmental, and are quick to point out that Jesus tells us not to judge (Matt 7:1). We are told in this Passage in First Corinthians, that we are to judge those within the Church (1 Cor 5:11-13). We must be careful however, that our judgment is not harsh or critical; it must be done in love, and that we judge ourselves first, before we judge another (Matt 7:1-5).
     If we would take the time to go after our Christian brothers and sisters when they stray, it would go a long way in promoting the unity and purity of the body of Christ.
     The Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthian believers to bring back a repentant individual, who had been turned out by the Church (2 Cor 2:1-11). Perhaps this was the same individual mentioned before, but the point is, a sinning brother was restored: to God, and to fellowship within the body of believers. This is how it is to work, if we would take the time, and make the effort, to see a brother restored.
    

Religion of the Heart.

     Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah. "What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies-
I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.
                                 Isaiah 1:10-18NASB

     Many individuals are content to worship God with mere lip service, and through countless rituals. They somehow believe that God looks down on all of this and is pleased. They feel that this all God requires, and they are then free to live as they please.
     All of the countless rituals, all the empty praise and meaningless prayer, are nothing more than an abominable stench before God. God is looking for hearts that are inclined to Him. He desires our devotion, our commitment of all we are and have to Him. Everything must flow out of a loving devotion to God, out of a passion for Him and His glory.
     Those practicing a mere external religion lack that love to God, and love to their neighbor that is required. God desires justice and mercy, and that must flow out of the heart that has been touched by His love and mercy.
     We often use the words of verse 18 as a call to the lost to receive salvation, but in the context, He is calling His backslidden people to repent and come back to the "religion" of the heart that pleases Him.
     It is no different today. God still desires the worship of those who are truly redeemed. He desires praise that flows from a heart filled with reverence and awe. He desires the deeds done in love, and for His glory. He is looking at the heart.

The New Covenant.

        "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
                                        Jeremiah 31:33 NASB

     "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be my people and I will be your God.
                             Ezekiel 36:25-28 NASB

    " 'Then you will no that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord have spoken and done it," declares the Lord' "
                                 Ezekiel 37:13-14NASB

     However you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--  for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.
                                             Romans 8:9-14 NASB

     Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
                                       1 Corinthians 3:16NASB

     Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, come out from among their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me," says the Lord Almighty.
                                  2 Corinthians 6:16-18 NASB

     Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us- for it is written "cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" - in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
                                     Galatians 3:13-14 NASB

     God required perfect obedience to the law under the old covenant. While the law is good, yet it could not empower anyone to obey it.
     Now under the new covenant we have the law of God written upon our hearts. It is something that we want to do. God has removed the heart of stone, our stubborn wills have been subdued by the washing of regeneration in the power of the Holy Spirit.
     Under the old covenant the presence of God dwelt in the temple, in the holy of holies, symbolized by the ark of the covenant. Worshippers approached God through a system of offerings and sacrifices, with a priest as an intermediary. It was only once a year that a priest could enter the holy of holies with a sacrificial offering.
     Now we are the temples of the living God, He dwells in us by His Spirit. We enter into His presence through Jesus Christ.
     The Holy Spirit came upon certain old testament saints at specific times for specific purposes. Now in this age of grace we can enjoy His presence and power for sanctification and service at all times.
     All this is made possible to us through Christ Jesus. The broken fellowship has been restored. We enjoy sonship as God's children. God is our God and we are His people. We  have access  to the throne of grace that was not available under the old covenant, we have new changed hearts, power to live a holy life. We worship in spirit and truth, enjoying intimacy with a God who was once unapproachable because of our sin.
     Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ!
    
    

 

Achan's Sin.

     The sin of one man caused a whole nation to suffer defeat at the hand of the inhabitants of Ai (see Joshua 7).  Achan took some of the plunder taken at Jericho, and hid it under his tent. He did this in secret. Nobody else knew, not even Joshua.
     God knew, and held the whole nation responsible (verse 11). Because of this, He witheld His favor from them, and allowed them to be defeated (verse 12)! Until Joshua searched out this matter and dealt with it, God would not go with them any longer.
     Likewise, God, through Peter, dealt with Annanias and Sapphira in the early church ( Acts chapter 5), and Paul rebuked the church at Corinth for tolerating, and failing to deal with a member living in open immorality (1 Corinthians 5). Jesus rebuked the church at Thyatira for tolerating a false teacher who led others into sin (Revelation 2:18-29). There were consequences to the sins of a few individuals, that threatened to effect the whole congregation.
     Is it any wonder that there is such a great lack of spiritual power, and the presence of God in the midst of His people today? We live in an age where there is much tolerance of evil, where no one wants to confront someone who is living in gross sin, open rebellion, yet coming together with other believers as if nothing was wrong! You might say "It is none of my buisness what someone else does" but like the army of Israel at the battle of Ai, it affects you in an adverse way! Until sin is dealt with through confession and repentance, the presence and power of God cannot be restored.
     It is time to grieve over the state of things among God's people. It is time to fall on our knees seeking His presence, time to cry out to Him to restore and revive His church, to rise up in the purity and power that come from His presence, secured by His blood, washed over a humble and repentant body of believers ready to stand strong for Him!
    

Reconciliation.

     "Behold I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.
     Malachi 4:5,6 NASB

     God has ordained the family to be a place where love abounds. We are to care for one another, look out for each other, fellowship with each other, and spur one another along towards righteousness.
The home is to be where God is honored, His word proclaimed, and put into practice.
     Sadly, a vast number of homes are broken for various reasons. Family members are estranged to one another. There is no fellowship, no encouragement, no love. What is even more tragic, is that this condition affects many in the church. The church today is filled with individuals who are outcasts in their homes. Even worse, many in the church treat family as outcasts. this is displeasing to God, and according to these verses we are in danger of a curse. It is no wonder that so many are spiritually weak and powerless.
     The good news is that reconciliation is possible. A sure sign of revival is individuals getting right with one another. Children reconciling with parents, and parents reconciling with their children. When the presence of the Lord comes in, people begin to get right with each other, as they get right with Him. Bitterness, hatred, unforgiveness, and strife all must go if Christ is to be enthroned in the hearts of His people. God is love, and those who are filled with Him walk in love.
     We need a revival today! God desires to be exalted in our congregations, homes, and in individuals. He wants our family relations to be restored, to be pleasing to Him once again.