Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). We are born again of incorruptible seed by the word of God (1 Peter 1:23). The seed remains in us and we cannot sin because we are born of God (1 John 3:9). The seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11). If we have the seed within us, we must bear fruit or we will be cut down as a fruitless tree (Luke 13:9) or cast forth as a branch (John 15:6). The word is truth (John 17:17). Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1, Revelation 19:13) and the Truth (John 14:6). He is also the Spirit of Truth (John 14:16-18). If we love the truth, we will love Jesus, because he is the Truth (John 14:6).
Faith Comes by Hearing
Before we can believe we must hear the word of God, the seed that is sown into our hearts. If the ground within our heart is honest and good, we will understand and receive the word. And in time we will bear fruit.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:13-17)
- A preacher is SENT to preach to all who will hear
- The preacher goes forth to PREACH that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
- The whosoevers HEAR that Jesus is the Christ
- The whosoevers BELIEVE in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour
- The whosoevers CALL UPON the name of the Lord (Jesus)
- The whosoevers are SAVED
- So then FAITH comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD
Born of Incorruptible Seed
We are born again of the Spirit of God (John 3:5-6; John 3:8), which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17), the incorruptible seed.
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: [20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, [21] Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. [22] Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: [23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:18-23)
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. [4] Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. [5] And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. [6] Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. [7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. [8] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. [9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:3-9)
The Seed is the Word of God
Reading all three accounts of the parable of the sower give us a fuller picture of what happens with each of the four seeds.
- Seed sown by the wayside: the devil immediately plucks the seed out of the hearts of those who do not understand the word, lest they believe and are saved.
- Seed sown in stony or rocky places: those who have no root in themselves fall away as soon as they are persecuted because of the very word that they received with joy.
- Seed sown amongst thorns: those who are choked with the care of this world — riches, lusts and pleasures of this life — and become unfruitful, or bring no fruit to perfection.
- Seed sown on good ground: those who have an honest and good heart, who hear, understand and receive, or keep, the word, and bear fruit with patience.
The Parable of the Sower: Matthew
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. [19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; [21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. [22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. [23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hearth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:18-23)
The Parable of the Sower: Mark
The sower soweth the word. [15] And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. [16] And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; [17] And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. [18] And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, [19] And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. [20] And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. (Mark 4:14-20)
The Parable of the Sower: Luke
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. [12] Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. [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. [14] And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. [15] 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 8:11-15)
The Seed Remains in Us
Praise God that the seed remains in those of us who are born of God. In other words, the word remains in us and we keep it in our hearts, just as Mary kept all of the sayings of the twelve-year-old Jesus in her heart (Luke 12:51). And just as Jesus says that those who love him will keep his words (John 14:23).
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. [4] Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. [5] And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. [6] Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. [7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. [8] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. [9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:3-9)
The Importance of Bearing Fruit
In the parable of the sower, the good seed sown into the good ground always bears fruit. If we don’t bear fruit, the parable of the fig tree shows the dresser of the vineyard interceding for the fruitless fig tree by offering to fertilise the ground and give the fig tree the opportunity to gain strength from fertilised soil such that it is able to bear fruit.
The Good Tree
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:17-20)
The Parable of the Fig Tree
He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. [7] Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? [8] And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: [9] And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. (Luke 13:6-9)
Abide in the True Vine
Given that we are not actual trees, the way that we fertilise the soil of our heart is to abide in the true vine, that is Jesus and the word of God. By doing so, we receive the spiritual food that will strengthen us in our walk with Christ, such that, with patience, we will bear the fruit of the spirit.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. [2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. [3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. [6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. [7] If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. [8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. [9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. [10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. [11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. [12] This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. [13] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. [14] Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. [15] Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. [16] Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. [17] These things I command you, that ye love one another. (John 15:1-17)
The Different Kinds of Fruit
Over time, we ought to bear much and varied fruit: the fruit of the harvest, the fruit of the spirit, the fruit of our lips, the fruit of righteousness, the fruit of good works. All of this fruit comes not from us, but from the holy spirit within. When we abide in the vine, we bear fruit, but without the vine we cannot bear any fruit (John 15:5). In other words, all fruit comes from Jesus Christ, the true vine.
The Fruit of the Harvest
This is one of the types of fruit that first comes to mind, the fruit of souls saved and disciples made, as it falls under the great commission that Jesus gave to all believers prior to his ascension (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16).
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. (John 4:35-36)
The Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the spirit is the other kind of fruit that’s often assumed when considering the question of bearing fruit. This type of fruit is the result of being children of light and comes with time, with the patience Jesus mentions in Luke 8:15.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)
The Fruit of Our Lips
The fruit of our lips is our praises of God and prayers to the Lord, our spiritual sacrifices.
By him [Jesus] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15)
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
The Fruit of Righteousness
This type of fruit is the result of the chastening of the Lord, as well as the spirit of wisdom that he gives us.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:9-11)
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:17-18)
The Fruit of Good Works
Not only did Jesus do many good works during his brief ministry here on earth (John 10:32), he tells us we, too, ought to do many good works, to glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). This is the fruit of letting our light shine before men.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
And throughout Paul’s epistles, he repeats the message about doing good works. Two examples:
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8)
Jesus is the Word of God, the Truth and the Spirit of Truth
The seed that’s sown into our hearts is the Word, which is Jesus, the truth and the spirit of truth.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (Revelation 19:13)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:16-18)
Jesus is also the Spirit of God, or the Spirit of the Lord.
[3] Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
Love of the Truth
The love of the truth is the good ground, and the only ground that can receive the seed which is the word and the truth. It’s the only ground that is able to understand the word, endure, and bring forth fruit with patience. And if we love the truth, we will love Jesus and hear his voice.
He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.(John 8:47)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:27-29)
Any other ground — the wayside, the stony ground and the thorny ground — does not have the necessary love of the truth, love of the word, or love of Jesus. In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul gives a stark warning for all those who do not love the truth:
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, [10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12)
Let us not be like those who perish, but like those who cherish the truth, the word and the Lord Jesus Christ. For, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, if anyone love not the Lord, let him be accursed [anathema] (1 Corinthians 16:22).
Amen, and Amen!
