Luke 8:5,8,11,15 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed some fell . . . on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundred fold. . . Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God . . . But that on good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience (emphasis added, KJV).
If we are going to produce much fruit for the Kingdom of God, we are going to have to so with patience. Without patience very little, if any, will be produced. There is a maturation process involved with bringing forth fruit. The process is not quick; when a person plants seed, he is not going to see fruit the very next day. For example, if a person planted a seed which would grow into a fruit tree: the seed would first die, then it would grow roots, then a stem, which in turn becomes the trunk; from the stem comes the branches, which in turn produces buds and flowers; from which comes the leaves and fruit. The seed must first produce a root system in order to uphold and sustain the tree. Without the roots, there would be nothing to keep it anchored in the ground, neither would there be a means to get the nutrients and water required to sustain life. If a storm came on the scene, it would be destroyed because it would be blown over by the wind, and would die because of the separation from the ground where it receives the nutrients and water to sustain life -it would produce no fruit.
Think about this: even before the seed is planted, the ground must first be prepared to receive it. Once it is planted, the ground is going to be moved by virtue of growth from the seed. The ground is going to be pushed down, and it’s going to be forced to expand in order to make room for the roots and the trunk. The roots are going to intertwine with the dirt in order to get the nutrients and the water, and maintain the ability for the tree to stand in adverse circumstances. Similarly, our hearts need to be prepared to receive the Word, and once the Word is planted in our hearts, our hearts are going to be moved. Just as the roots and the trunk put pressure upon the ground, so will our hearts experience pressure from the Word of God dwelling in us. Not only is there pressure from within, there is pressure from the outside.
Mark 4:16-17 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the Word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the Word’s sake, immediately they are offended (emphasis added, KJV).
Mark says, “When;” not “If,” affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake. As believers we must realize that affliction (or “tribulation” in Matthew 13:21) is going to come our way because of the Word. The word, affliction or tribulation comes from a word which means to crush, press, compress, or squeeze (which comes from another word that means to break). Primarily, affliction or tribulation means a pressing or pressure due to circumstances or antagonisms from other people. It is distress caused primarily from outside sources as a result of living for Christ. It is similar to the concept of the pressures of life, except there is pressure applied as the result of decisions made because of the Word -the first being our decision to follow Jesus. This word is also applied to the distress of a woman who is in childbirth. Persecution comes from a word that means to pursue after. It is an enemy pursuit, which involves acts of hostility. Obeying the Word of God is not always easy, as there are consequences to obedience; but, we must remember that there is great reward for obedience.
1Peter 2:18-20 says, Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward (perverse). For this is thankworthy (grace), if a man for conscience toward God (is mindful of God) endure grief, suffering wrongfully. . . .when you do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” Here is where the rubber meets the road: will we make the decision to follow Christ regardless of the consequences? Will we obey Him, even when it means hardship? There will be various forms of pressure that will entice us to take the easy way out; especially, if it means our flesh does not have to die. When times of affliction and persecution come, consider Romans 8:18: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. A sign of maturity is when we obey the Lord regardless of the outcome -this is patience of maturity.
Another form of pressure that one can experience is that of change as the result of the Word of God. The Lord is going to bring us to a number of cross-roads in our lives, where we are going to have make the decision to conform to the Word of God. When we study Scripture, we will find that the Word will cut to the quick -it will expose any darkness lurking in our heart. It will call on us to deny our self, pick up our cross, and follow Jesus. It will call us to repentance when repentance is called for, and that means death to the flesh. Remember the flesh is contrary to the Spirit, and if we follow after the flesh, we will die after the flesh.
Patience is required to run the race to the very end. Hebrews 10:35-37 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry (emphasis added, KJV). James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him (emphasis added, KJV).
