Wednesday May 13, 2020

Your Daily Dose of Inspiration:

Matthew 13:18-23 “Hear then the parable of the sower: (19) When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. (20) As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, (21) yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. (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. (23) As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

The first cause of missing the mark is a failure to understand the word given. But this is more than simply not comprehending a teacher. Consider that the ground in this portion of the parable is the hard ground of the wayside. The ground is so hard that the seeds do not enter into even the shallowest parts of the soil, and the birds come and easily consume them This lack of understanding comes as a result of being hardened by sin. There is no conviction, no sorrow at being separated from God, and no motivation to act accordingly. The hardened heart will not consider sin to be a problem, therefore no real effort or care will be dedicated to its solution. Like an archer who does not care whether they actually hit the target, the ambivalent and uncaring person will never achieve close relationship with God. In order for repentance to exist within the heart of a sinner, there must be the recognition of their wickedness and their need for forgiveness. That is why the Devil seeks to keep people blind to their sin. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. (4) In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The greatest work of the enemy is seen not in those who are obviously villainous, but in those who sit quietly and comfortably, thinking their sin not so bad as others. They hear the words of the preacher calling them to repent and consider those words to be for the ears of their neighbor rather than for themselves. This lack of understand is not due to a lack of information. It is due a rejection of true knowledge. We often hear this verse Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”, but we forget the rest. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

The ambivalent archer who shoots carelessly and rejects instruction will never hit the target. The person who thinks that their sin is no problem, who lives life without thought or direction, who rejects correction and instruction will never reach the heart of God and is truly lost in sin. We must pray that these would be broken by the loving hand of the Holy Spirit. That their eyes would be opened to the depravity of their condition and their need for a Savior. For it is only then that they can be saved.

-Jared Freeman, “Missing the Mark”