In the parable of the sower, Matthew 13, some will hear the word and produce a hundred fold more than was spent to train them. Others will be like kernels of wheat that did not mature to become productive.
A champion athlete finds reasons to train to become better. That faith is what separates an athlete from a couch potato. Likewise, a scholar will seek for a calling and good books or articles to read. That is what separates a scholar from a sports fan.
A philosophy that everything is already decided, why try, is a loser philosophy. I think those who went to study with Christ, like his 12 disciples, did better than those that did not believe it was worth their while. Eleven disciples were faithful, one went over to the enemy, Jesus made a net gain. His words are inspiring people almost 2000 years later.
To be saved, all must bear fruit for God.
Actually this is not too hard to understand.
Consider that God is the one doing the planting, the arranging, the orchestration of the lives of His people. God expects a crop of fruit, and He is going to make sure, if you are His that you bear fruit.
Matthew 3:10-11New King James Version (NKJV)
Matthew 3:10-11New King James Version (NKJV)
10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.[a]
That baptism which He does accomplishes the purpose for which He ordained it.
Another example combining predestination with bearing good fruit as ordained of God for His people.
John 15:15-17New King James Version (NKJV)
15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and
that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
And this good fruit is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that God produces in your life!
Your life bears a crop of good fruit to God or you are NOT His child.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit, all believers should bear, if you are bearing these then, that is a very good sign you are His.
Galatians 5:19-23New King James Version (NKJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told
you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
For those who bear no fruit, they are cut down and cast into the fire.
The only ones in the parable of the sower to bear fruit, did so many fold.
They were the ones saved, all the others were not saved, they bore no fruit to maturity.
