Concerning the parable of the sower, as given in Luke’s gospel, we read of the failure to produce any crop, where seed falls “by the way side,” “upon a rock,” or “among thorns.” These places represent to us, respectively, the sphere of the devil, the flesh and the world. However, we then read, “But that on the good ground are they which, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:1515But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15)). There may seem to the world to be fruits bright and blessed, but if people have not got Christ, they tire. There will be no enduring, unless Christ has possession of the soul, but if He has, there will be an abiding motive, and people will go on and “bring forth fruit with patience.” They that hear and keep it go steadily on, having their motive for action in the Lord. Trouble may come in, even in the church; disappointment may arise, even from brethren; but they go on just the same, because they have Christ before them. The Word that they have heard and that they keep connects them with Christ, and He is more than anything else.
The Practical Effect
This is a question, not of eternal salvation, but of the practical effect of the Word as seen in this world (vss. 16-18) — the growth of the Word in the soul, and that will not be hidden under a bushel. “Ye are the light of the world” and “the salt of the earth,” our Lord could say to His own. In those who only appear to be Christians it soon comes to nothing. “Whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he seemeth to have” (Luke 8:1818Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. (Luke 8:18)). But those in whom the Word works effectually are to be as a “candle” set on a candlestick. Israel being set aside for a season, God sets up a new light in the world — a light lit up by God, because of the world’s darkness. When Christ was here, He was the light of the world, because of its darkness, and now we should be a light in the world, as we are “light in the Lord.” The light is here set up by Christ’s Word, and people are responsible for the Word received. Suppose you have heard the Word and bring forth no fruit, it will all come out, by-and-by, that you have heard the Word and lost it and the spiritual power accompanying it. Even if we are saints, all that we have heard without fruit or power resulting therefrom will come out, for nothing is hid that shall not be known or come abroad. “Take heed how ye hear.”
The Need to Keep the Word
Christ is looking for the results of His sowing. There must be not only the hearing, but the possessing, and in this rests the responsibility, for if you keep the Word which you have heard, more shall be given you. If, on hearing, I possess as my own that which I hear, then it becomes a part of the substance of my soul, and I shall get more. When the truth has become a substance in my soul, there is a capacity for receiving more. Suppose, for example, you hear the truth of the Lord’s second coming and see your portion as the bride of Christ, and you do not lay hold of it practically, you will presently lose the expectation of His coming and forget your place of separation from the world. The truth will gradually slip away, because you are not holding it in your soul before God. Consequently, your soul becomes dead and dull, and you lose the very truth you have received.
My Lord Delays His Coming
But if one lives daily as waiting for the Lord from heaven, there will be no planning for the future, no laying up for the morrow; such a man will learn more and more, as other truths will open round this one grand central one, and he will be kept in the truth. If, on the other hand, he drops this center truth by saying, “He cannot come yet; so many things must happen first,” then the progress of such an one’s communion with God is hindered. What is the use of teaching me that the Lord may come tomorrow, if I am going on living as though He were not coming for 100 years? Or where is the comfort and blessedness of the truth to my soul, if I am saying in my heart, “My Lord delayeth His coming?” Though I cannot lose my eternal life, yet if I am losing the truth and light I have had, I shall be merely floating on in the current of life, half for the world and half for Christ, and all power of Christian life will be dimmed in my soul. If the truth is held in communion with God, it separates to Himself. Truth is to produce fruit, and there is no truth that does not bear fruit. Truth must build up the soul. “Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth” (John 17:1717Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)). Christ becomes precious in and by the truth that I learn, and if it has not that power, it all comes to nothing and is taken away. If Christ is precious to me, I shall be waiting for Him with affection and producing fruit with patience.
J. N. Darby