So you want to be a Christian? Are you ready for this?
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)
How do we know the deceivers?
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Did you stop to think that the holy scriptures Paul speaks of do not include this verse? That Paul is saying that what we know as the Old Testament are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Paul also tells us who authored these scriptures: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)
An, he tells us why we should care: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:17)
Luke gives us Christ’s parable in Luke 8 as to what happens to the word:
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. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:11-15)
How is our ground prepared? Is evil allowed to take it away? Are there rocks that keep roots from growing? Are there thorns prepared to choke?
Prepare the ground to receive the seed – the word of God. Remove that which would take it away, remove the temptation, the riches, the pleasures of life that do not fit within God’s will. Bring to studies of the word an honest and good heart.
Why?
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (Luke 8:11)
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