Luke 8:1-12 " And it came to pass afterward, that HE went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of GOD: and the twelve were with HIM, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto HIM of their substance. And when much people were gathered together, and were come to HIM out of every city, HE spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when HE had said these things, HE cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And HIS disciples asked HIM, saying, What might this parable be ? And HE said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of GOD; but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the WORD of GOD. 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."
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" (v.12). The Devil especially does not want individuals to do two specific things - he does not want them to believe, and he does not want them to be saved. If you ask people what they must do to be saved, few will give the correct answer. They are blind to the true Gospel of CHRIST. Yet, Satan knows GOD's plan of salvation summarized in just four words: "Believe and be saved." The Devil does not mind if people are religious. Indeed, he uses religion to keep people in the dark. Most religious people on our planet have no idea about GOD's true Gospel. They may say the LORD's Prayer, recite the Golden Rule, or read the Sermon on the Mount, and yet they do not know the first thing about how to be saved/born again from above. Many seek to follow the sacraments, perform daily and weekly rituals, and utter repetitious prayers, but their spiritual leaders never present to them the true Gospel of grace based upon the finished work of JESUS CHRIST. How tragic this is !
"But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of CHRIST, WHO is the image of GOD, should shine unto them" (2nd.Corinthians 4:3-4 pictured above). How wonderful it is to know that the LORD is infinitely greater than Satan, and HE, through the Gospel, can "open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto GOD, that they may receive forgiveness of sins" (Acts 26:18). May we faithfully share GOD's powerful Gospel that alone can save (Romans 1:16 pictured above) ! GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
No comments:
Post a Comment