Continuing Michael's message on "dependance" on God, he writes: The third category is represented by the soil that receives the Word of God. However, weeds come up and choke out the holy Word that they originally received. The weeds are the cares of life and riches of the world. Even though those in this category receive the seed of the Word with joy, they never bring forth fruit because they succumb to the cares of this world and endure only for a season. Those in Category three have a works-based concept of salvation. They think that they have to help God out and that Jesus' salvation is insufficient. In Luke 6:46, Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord and yet do not do the these things that I have commanded you?" In Matthew 7 they reply, "have we not cast out demons and done many miracles in your name?" Jesus will say, "depart from me, I never knew you, you that work iniquity."
The fourth type of soil is the good ground. This type of soil receives the seed of the Word and represents true believers with saving faith, who receive the Word of God into their hearts. They bring forth fruit abundantly.
The Devils job is to steal the seed of the Word from our hearts. However, for those in Category Four who receive the Word, the Psalmist said: "Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it flow the issues of life." According to Psalm 1, “Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law does he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
When God reaches down to those He has called, His chosen ones will reach up and grasp His Son's nail pierced hands. When we're “born again” of the Spirit and confess "Jesus is Lord," our prayer will be, "Lord I'm not the person you intended me to be, Lord please make me that person."
Jesus said, "I stand at the door and knock." The decision is whether or not we believe that Jesus Christ (the Savior of the world and Lord of all) is who He said He is. Either the gospel of Christ is irresistible or it's not. When those who have been called according to His purpose confess "Jesus is Lord," and believe that God has raised Him from the dead, they are saved. They are regenerated and made whole; born again of God's Holy Spirit.
There are two diagnostic questions to find out the category to which a person belongs. The first is "If you died today, where will you spend the rest of eternity?" Regardless of their response, the Word of God says that there's one way we can know for sure. According to 1 Thessalonians 1:5, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost.” John 20:31says, "But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.”
The second question is "If you were standing at the gates of heaven and Jesus said, "Why should I let you in?" What would you say?" Again, the answer is in the Word of God. According to Ephesians 2:8-9“For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast.” Our Declaration of Independence from the power of sin is our declaration of dependence on divine Providence. He alone is our sufficiency for salvation.
As American citizens we have declared as a sovereign nation, our independence from other national powers foreign and domestic. As citizens of Heaven, we have declared our independence from the power of darkness and sin. As dual citizens, may we, with our Founding Fathers, pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor on firm reliance upon protection of Divine Providence. This is our Declaration of Dependence on our Heavenly Father for God alone is our sufficiency in all things.
And in our dependence on Him, may we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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