Lets talk about salvation

[he4rty]

How do we gat saved?

Can we lose our salvation?

With some of the threads on here will it affect my salvation, If i believe this and you believe that.

what do you think, when judgement comes will God look at the petty disputes on here and judge us accordingly or as he his a God of love accept our failings.

 

[BBoy]

No doubt we can lose our salvation. If we don't live in union with God on earth how could we go to a place like heaven?

 

[warriordonkey]

How do we get saved?
We are saved by God's grace and get saved by accepting, believing and living for and in Jesus

Can we lose our salvation?
IMO Yes but only if we turn totally away from God and go the other way, or if we stop believing in God.

With some of the threads on here will it affect my salvation, If i believe this and you believe that. Everyone has different opinions, God made us unique in our ways, and just because we don't agree with each other or believe the same things, it won't affect our salvation.

what do you think, when judgement comes will God look at the petty disputes on here and judge us accordingly or as he his a God of love accept our failings. IMO God is a just and fair God but He is still the judge, and we will face His judgement one day and we are accountable for our actions.

What do you think?

 

[KleinerApfel]

Thankfully God is not ONLY just, He is also merciful, and He says HE saves us, so we don't have to try to do it ourselves.

PHEW!

Jesus said, "It is finished!"
Hallelujah!

 

[enoch son]

1 Tim. 4-10 He is the savior of all. Salvation is of the Lord. He choses us we don't choose HIM.

 

[lismore]

How do we gat saved?
.

Romans 10:9

If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


Acts 2:21

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

Can we lose our salvation?

.

Philippians 1:6
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

[thereselittleflower]

Thankfully God is not ONLY just, He is also merciful, and He says HE saves us, so we don't have to try to do it ourselves.

PHEW!

Jesus said, "It is finished!"
Hallelujah!

No, we don't do it by ourselves, God helps us.

"It is finished" does not apply to each and everyone's own personal salvation in this life . . . .

The scriptures warn us in multiple places that our salvation is conditional and can be lost. Just because we embark upon the path of salvaiton, that is no guarantee we will continue to its end, finish the course.

Only those who do the will of the Father will be saved . . only those who endure to the end will be saved . . .

The scriptures warn us to "work out your salvation in fear and trembling"

If "it is finished" means that your personal salvation is a done deal, and you can't lose it, then there is nothing to work out or fear and tremble about . . .

But the scriptures say otherwise.


If you look at the parable of the sower and the seed, you will see something very interesting that most gloss over . . .

Jesus Himself tells us that there are those who BELIEVE, yet will fall away . . .

Luk 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.​

The parable of the unjust servant teaches us that even though we have forgiven, if we do not forgive our brothers from our heart, that forgiveness will be recinded:

Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Mat 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Mat 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.​

This is very sobering.

Salvation is a process - I used to have this in my sig line:

Q: "Are you Saved?" * * * *

A: "As the Bible says, I am already saved (Rom. 8:24, Eph. 2:5–8), I’m also being saved (1 Cor. 1:8, 2 Cor. 2:15, Phil. 2:12), and I have the hope that I will be saved (Rom. 5:9–10, 1 Cor. 3:12–15). Like the apostle Paul I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), with hopeful confidence in the promises of Christ (Rom. 5:2, 2 Tim. 2:11–13)."​

.

 

[he4rty]

What do you think?

Salvation is when we accept Jesus into our lives and confess our sins and submit to his will.

I've often wondered how and why what appear to be very spiritual people turn from God, then I'm reminded of the parable of the sower and Jesus telling us that this would happen, if that puts me in a osas belief then so be it.

I don't think some of the discussion on here will truely effect our salvation, But they could impact on Gods ministry here and now, Even now when people of little or no faith want to talk religion the topics of suffering,creation all come up and its hard to get them to see past this to the real purpose behind it all.

there just my thoughts.

 

[lismore]

No, we don't do it by ourselves, God helps us.

"It is finished" does not apply to each and everyone's own personal salvation in this life . . . .


.

God helps us?

Its all about Jesus and its all done by him!

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

We are the righteousness of God in Christ, in Christ we are the temple of the Holy SPirit.

2 Cor 5:

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

The old has gone and the new has come. There is no condemnation for those of us in Christ Jesus, our sin has been removed and thrown in the deepest part of the sea. Only when East meets West will our sin be remembered!

Isaiah 61:10 tells us that we are covered in a fabulous robe of righteousness, given by God and in no ways earned by us, a perfect robe of righteousness with no spot or blemish, God's own righteousness.

So stick that in your pipe and smoke it all you works- based windbags

 

[lovesblessing]

What lismore said!

Preach it Beloved Brother!!!

 

[nephilimiyr]

How do we gat saved?

Having a belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Faith through grace, that's all that is required, read my sig! Coming to this faith, God had created a new spirit in us, created to be just like him in true righteousness and holiness. If you have this spirit in you, you are saved.

Can we lose our salvation?

I'm not dogmatic either way on the "once saved, always saved" doctrine. I believe both positions have truth and I consider myself somewhere in the middle.

I believe that when we are born again our new born spirit is alive in us and created in true righteousness and holiness and that we can be confident in our salvation no matter what. I also believe that all who God has elected will see salvation.

I don't believe someone can sin their way out of salvation but they can reject the new born spirit that has been birthed in them, thus cancelling out any benefits of salvation that they once may have had.

With some of the threads on here will it affect my salvation, If i believe this and you believe that.

I'm only thinking I'm understanding you right in what you're asking. If you are born again then God considers you not only his child but totally righteous and holy in your new born spirit. The secondary things like difference's in doctrines or theologies will not effect this new born spirit but you have to guard yourself so that you will not go so far astray that you will end up rejecting the gracious gift that God has given you.

what do you think, when judgement comes will God look at the petty disputes on here and judge us accordingly or as he his a God of love accept our failings.

Oh yes, God will bring up to us everything that we have done or said either in public or private but thank God Almighty for Jesus our advocate!

There are many awards waiting for us, I don't know, maybe we might lose a few because of how we conducted ourselves here on earth or because of our lack of obedience but no matter how big or beautiful the awards God has for me....The book of Rev. talks about elders casting their crowns at Gods feet. That's me brother! 100% man! I don't care how big or little my crown is going to be, I'm casting it down at his feet when I see Him and realise just how foolish and unworhty I really am!

 

[lismore]

Anyone who believes that their own works has a part to play in their salvation will get a prideful heart.

Our 'good works' are like filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6). You would not go before the Queen of England dressed in rags, how much less can you appear before our Righteous God in the filthy rags of works.

Luke 18:

9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."



Good deeds and religous works will take you further and further away from God through self-reightousness. What you need is like the tax collector to have a repentant heart and humble yourself before God and accept his gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.

No works will save you except for the work that Jesus did at Calvary.

 

[thereselittleflower]

God helps us?

Its all about Jesus and its all done by him!

Why do you think that "it is finished" refers to your personal salvation in the here and now rather than the one time atoning sacrifice on the cross?

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

We are the righteousness of God in Christ, in Christ we are the temple of the Holy SPirit.

2 Cor 5:

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

The old has gone and the new has come. There is no condemnation for those of us in Christ Jesus, our sin has been removed and thrown in the deepest part of the sea. Only when East meets West will our sin be remembered!

Isaiah 61:10 tells us that we are covered in a fabulous robe of righteousness, given by God and in no ways earned by us, a perfect robe of righteousness with no spot or blemish, God's own righteousness.

So stick that in your pipe and smoke it all you works- based windbags

LOLOL! (tlf is trying to imagine herself smokinga pipe! )

However, all that does not answer my question above . . .


.

 

[nephilimiyr]

So stick that in your pipe and smoke it all you works- based windbags

Amen to everything you said up to this line.

I'm not sure just who you are directing this towards but if I was thereselittleflower I might be thinking that that was directed towards me.

lismore, he4rty gave me the impression that he seriously wants to discuss these things in peace, not in name calling.

 

[JimfromOhio]

How do we gat saved?

Through the Conviction of the Holy Spirit. Faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit, without the Holy Spirit, you can't have faith and without the Holy Spirit, you can't be spiritual. If you don't have faith, then you don't have the Holy Spirit. Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.

1. God's Grace and Gift: Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

2. Holy Spirit: 1 Thessalonians 1:5 "because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake."

3. Holy Spirit: John 6:29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

4. Heart with the Help from the Holy Spirit: Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Faith is NOT Works: 1 Timothy 1:4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith.

No external act is necessary for salvation. Salvation is by divine grace through faith alone (Romans 3:22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30; 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9, much more scriptural references).

Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 Corinthians 12:3
Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

IT IS FINISHED: Christ's sacrificial work is completed, and there is no more sacrifice for sin. The Old Testament priests, sacrifices, and sanctuary are superseded by the mediation of Jesus, the crucified, risen, and reigning God-man (Heb. 1-10), in whom believers now find their identity as the seed of Abraham and the people of God (Gal. 3:29; 1 Pet. 2:4-10). Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Complete and eternal salvation by God's grace alone, received as the gift of God through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; I Peter 1:18-19). Through Jesus Christ, God offers salvation from sin and a new way of life. We receive God's salvation when we repent and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In Christ, we are reconciled with God and brought into the reconciling community. We place our faith in God that, by the same power that raised Christ from the dead, we may be saved from sin to follow Christ and to know the fullness of salvation.

Can we lose our salvation?

NO !!!!

Romans 2:29 (NIV) No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

2 Corinthians 3:3(NIV) You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 1:22 set His seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

John 10:22-30: The Shepherd Knows His Sheep
22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”

With some of the threads on here will it affect my salvation, If i believe this and you believe that.

what do you think, when judgement comes will God look at the petty disputes on here and judge us accordingly or as he his a God of love accept our failings.

Christ through His death and resurrection, every legal hindrance has been met and satisfied. There is nothing that can keep me from the promise. Its not about thinking our way into salvation or to reason our way into salvation. The only way to get in is to believe Him with my heart which is sealed by the Holy Spirit through the gift of Faith, through Jesus Christ, His grace and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. This is called "Sanctification through the Holy Spirit’s Conviction": God is convicting me to search my heart to work in my life according to God's will. God wants me to understand that He is there for me and He will help me through His GRACE. As a Christian, this is a CONTINUIOUS sanctification process of repenting throughout my Christian life.

 

[thereselittleflower]

Anyone who believes that their own works has a part to play in their salvation will get a prideful heart.

Our 'good works' are like filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6). You would not go before the Queen of England dressed in rags, how much less can you appear before our Righteous God in the filthy rags of works.

Luke 18:

9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."



Good deeds and religous works will take you further and further away from God through self-reightousness. What you need is like the tax collector to have a repentant heart and humble yourself before God and accept his gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.

No works will save you except for the work that Jesus did at Calvary.

Are you saying that Jesus didn't mean what He said here? :

Mat 18:32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.​

.

 

[thereselittleflower]

Through the Conviction of the Holy Spirit. Faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit, without the Holy Spirit, you can't have faith and without the Holy Spirit, you can't be spiritual. If you don't have faith, then you don't have the Holy Spirit. Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.

1. God's Grace and Gift: Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

2. Holy Spirit: 1 Thessalonians 1:5 "because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake."

3. Holy Spirit: John 6:29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

4. Heart with the Help from the Holy Spirit: Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Faith is NOT Works: 1 Timothy 1:4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith.

No external act is necessary for salvation. Salvation is by divine grace through faith alone (Romans 3:22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30; 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9, much more scriptural references).

Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 Corinthians 12:3
Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

IT IS FINISHED: Christ's sacrificial work is completed, and there is no more sacrifice for sin. The Old Testament priests, sacrifices, and sanctuary are superseded by the mediation of Jesus, the crucified, risen, and reigning God-man (Heb. 1-10), in whom believers now find their identity as the seed of Abraham and the people of God (Gal. 3:29; 1 Pet. 2:4-10). Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Complete and eternal salvation by God's grace alone, received as the gift of God through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7; I Peter 1:18-19). Through Jesus Christ, God offers salvation from sin and a new way of life. We receive God's salvation when we repent and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In Christ, we are reconciled with God and brought into the reconciling community. We place our faith in God that, by the same power that raised Christ from the dead, we may be saved from sin to follow Christ and to know the fullness of salvation.

NO !!!!

Romans 2:29 (NIV) No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

2 Corinthians 3:3(NIV) You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 1:22 set His seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

John 10:22-30: The Shepherd Knows His Sheep
22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”


Christ through His death and resurrection, every legal hindrance has been met and satisfied. There is nothing that can keep me from the promise. Its not about thinking our way into salvation or to reason our way into salvation. The only way to get in is to believe Him with my heart which is sealed by the Holy Spirit through the gift of Faith, through Jesus Christ, His grace and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. This is called "Sanctification through the Holy Spirit’s Conviction": God is convicting me to search my heart to work in my life according to God's will. God wants me to understand that He is there for me and He will help me through His GRACE. As a Christian, this is a CONTINUIOUS sanctification process of repenting throughout my Christian life.

Why does Jesus say that one who believes can fall away then?

Luk 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.​

.

 

[Dave01]

Salvation is when we accept Jesus into our lives and confess our sins and submit to his will.

I've often wondered how and why what appear to be very spiritual people turn from God, then I'm reminded of the parable of the sower and Jesus telling us that this would happen, if that puts me in a osas belief then so be it.

I personally think that there is a changing of a persons mind, then there are the ones who actually have their heart/spirit changed.

Which is more lasting? Where they really saved or did they just go along with something at the moment? Did they get thier touch from heaven or not?

Whenever I see someone go to an altar for salvation, I always start praying that he/she receives. GOD directed me one time about that and I watched a hardcore biker get saved, so I keep doing it.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Why does Jesus say that one who believes can fall away then?

Luk 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.​

.

Those who are in Christ Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Galatians 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. We just need to be looking at our adequacy in the Holy Spirit, which will always be in us.

If we didn't feel the conviction and didn't have the motivation to change from "within", then we should be concerned whether we are truly saved or not. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:25. Any selfish motives toward the blessings of God can destroy God's blessings' purposes and usefulness.

There are 4 Parables of the Sower. Three parables of people who made a profession of faith but then fell away and only the last parable Jesus gave is of real saving faith:

Matthew 13
The Parable of the Sower
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.

3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.

4As he was scattering the seed,

#1
some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. (If a farmer threw the seed and some of it went beyond the furrow only to land on that hard surface, it would never grow. It could not penetrate the ground. This illustrate that people will hear the gospel and think nothing of it).

#2
5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. (The rocky ground in this parable represents the people who will reject the gospel. Also Luke explains that the seed that landed upon the stony soil "lacked moisture" (Luke 8:6). There wasn't any root to capture the moisture. This means people who will initially receive the gospel, but thorns or the sun will cause them to fall away.)

#3
7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. (After the seeds are sown and they begin to germinate, weeds also begin to grow from the fibrous weed roots hidden in the ground. The weeds then choke the life out of the grain.)

#4
8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear." (Some people will initially receive the gospel, and ultimately bring forth fruit.)

The parable shows how people will respond to the gospel. All the soils are basically the same--the only difference is whether the
1. dirt is hard,
2. has rock underneath it,
3. has weeds in it, or
4. is good.

The issue is not the soil; rather, it is the condition of the soil. That means that all people could receive the seed. All soil could receive the seed if it was broken up and cleaned of weeds. So, the key to the parable is that the response a person has to the gospel depends upon the condition of that person's heart.

Jesus explains further:
18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

The condition of the heart determines how receptive a person is to the gospel. John 4:36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

Our hearts are like a garden and must be kept free from weeds and insects. To expect the fruits and flowers bloom in an untended heart is to misunderstand completely the processes of Grace and God's will. 2 Timothy 3:10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance.

 

[thereselittleflower]

Those who are in Christ Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Galatians 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. We just need to be looking at our adequacy in the Holy Spirit, which will always be in us.

If we didn't feel the conviction and didn't have the motivation to change from "within", then we should be concerned whether we are truly saved or not. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:25. Any selfish motives toward the blessings of God can destroy God's blessings' purposes and usefulness.

There are 4 Parables of the Sower. Three parables of people who made a profession of faith but then fell away and only the last parable Jesus gave is of real saving faith:

Matthew 13
The Parable of the Sower
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.

3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.

4As he was scattering the seed,

#1
some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. (If a farmer threw the seed and some of it went beyond the furrow only to land on that hard surface, it would never grow. It could not penetrate the ground. This illustrate that people will hear the gospel and think nothing of it).

#2
5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. (The rocky ground in this parable represents the people who will reject the gospel. Also Luke explains that the seed that landed upon the stony soil "lacked moisture" (Luke 8:6). There wasn't any root to capture the moisture. This means people who will initially receive the gospel, but thorns or the sun will cause them to fall away.)

#3
7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. (After the seeds are sown and they begin to germinate, weeds also begin to grow from the fibrous weed roots hidden in the ground. The weeds then choke the life out of the grain.)

#4
8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear." (Some people will initially receive the gospel, and ultimately bring forth fruit.)

The parable shows how people will respond to the gospel. All the soils are basically the same--the only difference is whether the
1. dirt is hard,
2. has rock underneath it,
3. has weeds in it, or
4. is good.

The issue is not the soil; rather, it is the condition of the soil. That means that all people could receive the seed. All soil could receive the seed if it was broken up and cleaned of weeds. So, the key to the parable is that the response a person has to the gospel depends upon the condition of that person's heart.

Jesus explains further:
18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

The condition of the heart determines how receptive a person is to the gospel. John 4:36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

Yes, it is a matter of the heart, that is very true . . . however:

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?​

Joy is an issue of the heart . . the belief Jesus ascribes to those who are the rocky soil is much more than a mental belief . . it is a belief of the heart, for it is accompanied by joy - Again:

Luk 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
​

"receive"

G1209
δέχομαι
dechomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to take with the hand
1a) to take hold of, take up
2) to take up, receive
2a) used of a place receiving one
2b) to receive or grant access to, a visitor, not to refuse intercourse or friendship
2b1) to receive hospitality
2b2) to receive into one’s family to bring up or educate
2c) of the thing offered in speaking, teaching, instructing
2c1) to receive favourably, give ear to, embrace, make one’s own, approve, not to reject2d) to receive. i.e. to take upon one’s self, sustain, bear, endure
3) to receive, get
3a) to learn
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: middle voice of a primary verb
Citing in TDNT: 2:50, 146
​

So there is full acceptance of the thing taught . . Here, the Gospel of Christ . . .

"joy"

G5479
χαρά
chara
khar-ah'
From G5463; cheerfulness, that is, calm delight: - gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).​

So, this is teaching that has been embraced, accepted fully, made one's own with exceeding joy . . .

"believe"

G4100
πιστεύω
pisteuō
pist-yoo'-o
From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.


G4100
πιστεύω
pisteuō
Thayer Definition:
1) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
1a) of the thing believed
1a1) to credit, have confidence
1b) in a moral or religious reference
1b1) used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
1b2) to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith
2) to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity
2a) to be intrusted with a thing
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G4102
Citing in TDNT: 6:174, 849
​

This is true, real belief . . real trust in Christ . .saving faith!

Jesus is speaking of REAL belief . . not a false belief . .

And yet, because the ground was not good enough to allow this faith to persevere, the person will not endure in a time of temptation and will fall away . . . .

This is demonstrating the process of salvation . . we currently have the hope of our salvation. Final salvation is not ours until we leave this world in a state of divine sanctifying grace . . in friendship with God.

Our hearts are like a garden and must be kept free from weeds and insects. To expect the fruits and flowers bloom in an untended heart is to misunderstand completely the processes of Grace and God's will. 2 Timothy 3:10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance.

And so we must do something . . . we must tend our garden . . . .we must till it, keep it free from weeds and insects . . .

So yes, we must do something . . . .


.