Relief Or Relationship

"Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear." - Mark 4:3-9

No - I am not going to exegete the parable of the Sower. Consideration of those represente4d by the soil that did not receive the seed sown is what I am focused on today. We received a phone call the other day. Someone asking us for prayer. As the conversation progressed, I was not certain if the person was really interested in who they were asking we would be praying to as much as finding relief for the person we were praying for.

After listening to the truly tragic story, I took them to the root of the issue - their spiritual condition. So often people are only interested in God when they are in some sort of trouble brought on, very often, by choices they have made. Not always, but very often. And like the seed that landed on bad soil, there was no desire for spiritual fruit, that is a relationship with the One they wanted help from. But they knew that we knew a Guy, if you will. And so I realized that the Gospel seed might just lay there - dormant on a heart that was as hard toward God as Texas soil after a long drought. 

So what do you do. Well, what you don't do is imagine that God cannot use that moment for His purpose and He won't move to soften the hard heart of someone who desperately needs Jesus and a new life found by faith. 

"Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he [Jesus] said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God." - Luke 18:26-27

So you share what you know. Encourage the person to turn to Jesus. Try not to be cynical and judgmental. Not condemning them for their sin but imagining that they are not too far gone!" Fulfilling your role as a messenger and a seed sower. Letting the Spirit do His work and not worrying about the ground upon which the seed falls. After all - my place is not to save people - that is the Spirit's. My place is to tell people!

"He [Jesus] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 16:15-17

The heart understanding who Jesus is - their need to repent and be saved, is a revelation from God through His Spirit. Teh Spirit who brings conviction of sin which leads to repentance.

"Nevertheless, I [Jesus] tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged." - John 16:7-11

Never pass up an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus and how to be saved and healed spiritually. And when you walk away, know that it is all about Jesus and all about grace. And don't be surprised if one day you even happen to toss some seed on good soil. God is Good All the Time.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone