Great mystery surrounds how a person comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The events, the circumstances, the conversations, the genuine understanding of Christ's work on the cross, and of course the drawing power of the Holy Spirit; these events and more work to bring a person to that point in their life where they understand the gospel and their need for a Savior. My favorite parable of Jesus is His parable of the sower. Jesus describes four types of soil, which represent the receptive hearts (minds) of people. In the parable, Jesus describes seed (the gospel) which is spread (shared) onto four types of soil (hearts). The first seed falls on the wayside and is immediately snatched away by the Devil. Thus their hearts of hardened towards God and His gospel. Second, seed is spread on stony ground and is immediately received with gladness, but the recipients have no root, they endure for a short time, but once they meet trials and resistance, their commitment to the gospel disappears. Thus their belief was only superficial and never genuine. Third, seed is spread among thorns, but the cares of the world, the temptation of riches and the desire for worldly things eventually choke out the word of God. These individuals become unfruitful and never bear any fruit because they can never leave the world behind, thus they attempt to serve two masters, God and money, while sitting on the fence between the world and surrendering to God. Finally, seed is spread on good soil (receptive and ready hearts) and these individuals receive the gospel with joy and begin bearing fruit by obeying the word of God.
What this parable teaches is that when faith in Christ is genuine, an individual will obey the word of God with pleasure and joy, seeking to live a life pleasing to the Lord that is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 says that "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit..." When genuine salvation comes to a person they are marked and sealed with the stamp of their owner, Jesus Christ. If a person is saved, they no longer conduct themselves in the lust of the flesh, but have been made alive to become Christ's workmanship and will find the good works God has prepared for them. The Bible is clear about what salvation looks like and these characteristics are evident in a believer's life, if they are not...they don't truly believe. Jesus said "for many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). Unfortunately, many have been deceived by their casual belief in repentance and their misunderstanding of Christ's work on the cross and will not be one of the few who will enter heaven one day.
Time tells the story of genuine salvation. Like a flower that blooms in the Spring, or a tree that produces fruit in the Summer, spiritual fruit will appear and remain in the life of a born again believer. Jesus said so!
What this parable teaches is that when faith in Christ is genuine, an individual will obey the word of God with pleasure and joy, seeking to live a life pleasing to the Lord that is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 says that "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit..." When genuine salvation comes to a person they are marked and sealed with the stamp of their owner, Jesus Christ. If a person is saved, they no longer conduct themselves in the lust of the flesh, but have been made alive to become Christ's workmanship and will find the good works God has prepared for them. The Bible is clear about what salvation looks like and these characteristics are evident in a believer's life, if they are not...they don't truly believe. Jesus said "for many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). Unfortunately, many have been deceived by their casual belief in repentance and their misunderstanding of Christ's work on the cross and will not be one of the few who will enter heaven one day.
Time tells the story of genuine salvation. Like a flower that blooms in the Spring, or a tree that produces fruit in the Summer, spiritual fruit will appear and remain in the life of a born again believer. Jesus said so!
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