Jesus concludes His
explanation of the Parable of the Sower in this way. “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word
and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a
hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13:23)
As the eternally perfect seed of God’s Word is
spread it comes in contact with many hearts, three of which we have previously
discussed. The along-the-path heart is so beholden to the evil one that he has
no problem snatching it away before it can take any sort of root. The
rocky-ground heart is overjoyed upon first hearing the message and accepts it
immediately. Unfortunately, very little actual thought accompanies this
emotional response. Such “faith” is quickly overwhelmed when persecution arises
because of the Word. Perhaps this person will continue to “go to church” but a
convicted faith will not be the reason. The among-the-thorns heart simply has
too many worldly pursuits in its life, all of which take priority over God. As
with the rocky-ground heart, the among-the-thorns heart may continue to “go to
church” but it will be because he knows that’s what he’s “supposed” to do, not
because he feels any great loyalty to Christ.
Finally, and happily, we come to the heart in
which our God delights. The good heart is not so proud as to boast in some
supposed self-sufficiency. It is not so shallow as to immediately accept the
Word with much emotion but no serious thought. It carefully considers the Word,
weighing its claims and noting its evidences. Finding God’s Word to be true, it
willingly shifts priorities, even when such changes are painful, and seats God upon the
throne of its life. Truly, this is the heart God seeks!
But how is such a heart recognized? Does it
prove itself through mere claims to righteousness? Hear Jesus in John 15:8: “By this my Father is glorified, that you
bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” Truly the debate
concerning whether a disciple must live a life of doing ends when one simply listens to Jesus Christ. If we would
glorify God we must bear fruit (John 15:8). If we would prove our love to Jesus
Christ we must perform works of obedience (John 14:15). If we would be friends
of Christ we must do what He tells us to do (John 15:14). If we would enter the
kingdom of Heaven we must do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21). If we would
be wise and not fools than we must hear the words of Christ and do them
(Matthew 7:24). Thus ends the debate!
The entire life of the good heart is given to
glorifying the Father, loving Jesus Christ, being a friend to Jesus Christ,
doing the will of the Father, and living wisely. The good heart proves its
claim to righteousness by bearing fruit for the Lord every day. Not all have
the same abilities and thus the fruit of some will be more immediately apparent,
and widespread, than the fruit of others. This need not cause alarm for the one
who produces thirty-fold is just as acceptable to Christ as the one who
produces a hundred. Our Lord has never required more than we can give, but that
we always be willing to give what we can. The good heart is one of doing,
giving, serving, and sacrificing.
Perhaps no passage of Scripture better
describes this sort of heart than the first three verses of the Psalter. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the
counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat
of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he
meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that
yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he
does, he prospers.”
The good heart prays for the wicked and
attempts to reach them with the truth, but he has neither the time nor the
inclination to join them in their wickedness. His counsel comes from the law of
the Lord which serves as his constant companion both day and night. Whatever
comes his way; be it trial, temptation, persecution, or sorrow he stands firmly
planted receiving constant nourishment from the source that never runs dry. In
good times and bad his fruits are apparent and his strength does not wither.
Such is the good heart.
May our souls always remain attuned to Christ’s
will and our thoughts be ever God ward. May the good heart be our heart!
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