 Examine our faith. Have we cast off duties, particularly difficult ones (Job 27:10), been swallowed up by worldly interest, developed inordinate affection for money or sensual enjoyment (Luke 14:26, 1 John 3:9), or shifted off the responsibility of doing what is right?
Earnestly watch, pray, and strive to be in His grace and not to fall into temptation. In view of our weakness and our powerful enemies, ask God to help us stand firm, particularly in time of trial (Acts 14:22, 11:23, 13:43; Luke 21:34, 36; Ephesians 6:13-14). Seek deeper roots (Ephesians 3:16-17) and bear fruit (2 King 19:30, Joshua 13:5-7). But many of us are like uncultivated ground, full of seeds and roots of thorns (Matthew 13:7, 22) that have never been plowed. The thorns grow spontaneously. Our worldly hearts—inordinate affections towards worldly pleasure (lust of the flesh), profits (lust of the eyes), and honor (pride of life)—choke off the words of God. So, fruits cannot grow (Jeremiah 4:3, 1 John 2:15, 1 John 2:16, Mark 4:18-19, Luke 8:14). After the fall, hearts bring forth such thorns (Genesis 3:17-18). Intense worldly affection and pursuits naturally grow. We focus on being superior to others, greed over gain, and carnal pleasures. Not knowing any better happiness, we pursue them above all else. They become the idol we worship. Unfortunately, such naturally and spontaneously growing thorns are useless (Psalm 4:6), giving us no benefits or fruits (Isaiah 55:2, Jeremiah 17:11, Job 20:15), and ending in death (Romans 6:21). Further, such pernicious growth wounds our soul, giving us no peace or rest (Ecclesiastes 5:12), and causing intense conflicts and pain among people (James 4:1, Micah 7:4, 2 Samuel 23:6-7). Our uncultivated ground needs to be plowed to create good soil (Matthew 13:7, Jeremiah 4:3). Break up our hardened hearts by the conviction of our sins and repentance. Have great guilt of our God-hated sins and see their vile nature against God’s glory. Be convinced of the vanity of the world to break us from them. Deny ourselves and renounce our self-righteousness to kill the thorns. Then the seed of the gospel can flourish and bear abundant fruits. But be alert. Beware of worldly concern, desire and vanity returning to repossess us and choke the word of God in our hearts. Summary of sermons by Jonathan Edwards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De_4qb15wQQ Comments are closed.
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