That Ye Would Walk Worthy of God Who Hath Called You Into His Kingdom and Glory - Part 1508

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe." (I Thessalonians 2:13)

There appears to be a sifting of sorts happening in the community of believers. Within the scriptures, there are those that "gladly" receive the Word, and continually rejoiced therein -- as evidenced by the first 3,000 souls saved on the day of Pentecost -- and those who do not accept the Word as written truth, even when being sanctified includes accepting "Thy Word [as] truth." (John 17:17)

Jesus speaks to this point in the parable of the sower. Herein, Jesus is by the sea side, and because of the multitude of people, He enters into a ship to teach the crowds of people many things by parables. Jesus "said unto them in His doctrine, "Hearken: Behold, there went out a sower to sow, and it came to pass as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth.

But when the sun was up, it was scorched, and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased: and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred." And He said unto them, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:1-10)

When Jesus was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the meaning of this parable.  What did Jesus say?

"Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God; but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: "That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them."

And He said unto them, "Know ye not this parable? And how then will ye know all parables?" (Mark 4:11-13)

Good question. If we do not understand Jesus' teachings (acknowledging in our hearts that Jesus is the Word of God made flesh and dwelling among us re: John 1:1-18), then how can we fully comprehend the mystery of the Kingdom of God. The mystery of godliness wherein the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in the man Christ Jesus. (Colossians 2:9; Isaiah 9:6) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 42:13)  The parables wherein we see and hear His truth, and can relate them to our specific God given purpose within the body of Christ.

As Jesus explains herein, it is the Word -- the pricking of the heart that recognizes that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) It is His Word that converts, so that one's sins can be forgiven.

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord, by the prophet, saying, "Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His Name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:21-23)

For those who believe in Jesus and gladly accept His Word "as it is written" and then choose to take on His Name in water baptism, their sins are forgiven, and the gift of the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of Jesus dwells within. (Acts 2:36-38; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21-22; Acts 19:40-44)

To this end, Jesus reveals to His disciples and "they that were about Him with the twelve" the meaning of the parable of the sower, and how the seed is the Word.

"And these are they by the way side, where the Word is sown; but when they have heard, satan comes immediately, and takes away the Word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the Word, immediately receive it with gladness, and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the Word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns, such as hear the Word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful." (Mark 4:15-1; Acts 2:36-47; Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 21:34)

Thankfully, there is seed which falls into the ground that is receptive to His message.

"And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as HEAR THE WORD, AND RECEIVE [it]; and bring forth fruit, some thirty fold, some sixty, and some an hundred." (Mark 4:20)

Why? Because there is a recognition with accepting Jesus that we are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye/we be married to another; even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth "real fruit unto God." For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter .... " (Romans 7:4-6)

"And for this cause He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance ..." (Hebrews 9:15-18)

The law in this current dispensation of grace being spiritual, and written on the tablets of our heart. (Romans 7:14) We have now come under the "law of faith" in Christ Jesus wherein there is therefore -- now -- in this dispensation of grace for those that love Him no condemnation. (Romans 3:27; Romans 8:1)

As Jesus said, "Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?" (Mark 4:21-23; Matthew 5:15; Matthew 10:26; Matthew 11:15, Matthew 13:9, 43)

Therefore, once you have gladly received His Word and been clothed in His righteousness through water baptism in the precious Name of Jesus, we become like a city that is set on an hill that cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:13-15)

Thus, as Jesus said, "let your light so shine before men so that they may see your good works while glorifying your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away, but the Word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (I Peter 1:23-25)

The Word is Jesus. He is the light of the world! Stand in the offering plate.