The Sower

To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. [Matthew 13.12]

What I believe Jesus is giving here, in the way of teaching, is the key to understanding the parable of the sower.

There are different progressions of understanding God's Word. I have seen this in my own life. I believe if anyone ever looked closely at my life over the last 15 years, they would be able to see it just in my writings alone.

The heart is the real issue. What we do with our heart makes the difference in our understanding. A heart yielded to God - yielded to become and act like Jesus - willing to operate by the leadership of God's Word and His Spirit - will see increasing knowledge and, subsequently, increasing power.

However, the heart that is closed off to God will never even get the first thing from God. Not even John 3.16 will mean anything to that heart. Likewise, those whose hearts are only partially surrendered to God will experience some emotion towards God, but knowledge will be limited and eventually they will turn away. 

The heart that is fully committed and surrendered will be the person who bears fruit - the person who duplicates in the hearts and lives of others what God is doing in their own heart. That amount of duplication will vary from person to person, but the point is, they will make others like themselves who in turn make other disciples.

I cannot tell the times I have shared God's Word with others only to be further enlightened myself!

That is how the Kingdom of God works. It is simple and it requires no special training or pedigree. However, it absolutely requires a surrendered and expectant heart - one that expects to bear fruit.

Father, thank You for speaking to me today. Thank You for showing me that any life I touch with Your Word contributes to my "thirty, sixty, or even hundred-fold" return.