In Matthew 13 Jesus tells a parable about a sower and he describes people (the soil) along this path and how they react differently and proceed differently as they hear the Word of God and as they apply it to their lives. One example is the person who, though they receive the Word as truth and begin to walk in this truth, they ultimately fall from the path and are caught in the thorn bush of the world.
“22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22, ESV)Here we see the proof that the seed planting and early growth was indeed "unfruitful". This reminds me of Hebrews 3:12-14 that I mention often as I see it a war cry of ours...
“12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” (Hebrews 3:12–14, ESV)Let us stand together as men on this pilgrimage together and let us not be idle in the assumption that all our brothers are far clear of the thorns, rather, let us exhort one another daily. Let us lash our belts together and not let another be caught up in thorns along the path.
It is a great honor that God uses one person's faith to impact another persons. So speak faith into one another and be as the men who lowered their paralytic friend through the roof in order that he might see Jesus. Hear Jesus' words to them...
“4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”” (Mark 2:4–5, ESV)Let us exhort one another in faith that we may help each other see Jesus today!
Soli Deo Gloria!
