Luke 8: 14And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked by worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity.
We have heard of this parable for years. It's message is stout talking about those who won't make it & those who will.
While the Word hasn't changed, the times are changing with leaps & bounds.
As we look at V14 we see the "thorns" are worries, riches, & pleasures of this life choking the christian until he no longer can bear fruit at all.
That's scary, & it should scare us.
In John 15, we see Jesus teaching something more serious about fruit bearing: 1“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He [a]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
6If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
Here Jesus declares that those who don't remain in Him(bearing fruit), are gathered & burned. That means they won't make it to Heaven.
Many of us believe we are alright in the Lord, bearing some fruit, & for now we are. But change is coming, & what then?
As worries about the world INCREASE, what then? When the money we earn no longer pays the bills, or allows us the comforts we enjoy? When we can't enjoy our lives because we have to work more, & have less time for God & family? When sickness increases to the point that healthy loved ones die?
What I'm saying is, will our current relationship with Christ be enough to get us through these times?
As thorns increase around us, those who are "making it" may no longer do so.
It's my sincere belief that christians everywhere will find out what it means to "work out our own salvation with fear & trembling."
What do you think? Have you noticed already how many are leaving church because of this "falling away" we are in?
I used to think I could easily stand fast during the last days, but now I question that.
You see, there was a time that I looked foward to being here when the rapture takes place, but I didn't understand just how bad this world would get before the tribulation begins.
Even more, I need to consider my grandchildren who are not yet at the age of accountability. In a few years they will.
As time is winding down & the stresses of life increasing, who then will make it?
Thorns are rising & increasing..... what will we do?
We have heard of this parable for years. It's message is stout talking about those who won't make it & those who will.
While the Word hasn't changed, the times are changing with leaps & bounds.
As we look at V14 we see the "thorns" are worries, riches, & pleasures of this life choking the christian until he no longer can bear fruit at all.
That's scary, & it should scare us.
In John 15, we see Jesus teaching something more serious about fruit bearing: 1“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He [a]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
6If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
Here Jesus declares that those who don't remain in Him(bearing fruit), are gathered & burned. That means they won't make it to Heaven.
Many of us believe we are alright in the Lord, bearing some fruit, & for now we are. But change is coming, & what then?
As worries about the world INCREASE, what then? When the money we earn no longer pays the bills, or allows us the comforts we enjoy? When we can't enjoy our lives because we have to work more, & have less time for God & family? When sickness increases to the point that healthy loved ones die?
What I'm saying is, will our current relationship with Christ be enough to get us through these times?
As thorns increase around us, those who are "making it" may no longer do so.
It's my sincere belief that christians everywhere will find out what it means to "work out our own salvation with fear & trembling."
What do you think? Have you noticed already how many are leaving church because of this "falling away" we are in?
I used to think I could easily stand fast during the last days, but now I question that.
You see, there was a time that I looked foward to being here when the rapture takes place, but I didn't understand just how bad this world would get before the tribulation begins.
Even more, I need to consider my grandchildren who are not yet at the age of accountability. In a few years they will.
As time is winding down & the stresses of life increasing, who then will make it?
Thorns are rising & increasing..... what will we do?
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