“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….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.
Mark 4:8;Luke 8:15 KJV
The “honest and good heart” of which the parable speaks, is not a heart without sin; for the gospel is to be preached to the lost. Christ said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, Mark 2:17.” He confesses his guilt, and feels his need of the mercy and love of God. He has a sincere desire to know the truth, that he may obey it. The good heart is a believing heart, one that has faith in the word of God.
The good-ground hearer receives the word “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13. Only he who receives the Scriptures as the voice of God speaking to himself is a true learner. To those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance, angels of God draw near. The Holy Spirit is given to open to them the rich treasures of the truth....The good-ground hearers, having heard the word, keep it. Satan with all his agencies of evil is not able to catch it away, (wayside hearers).
Merely to hear or to read the word is not enough. He who desires to be profited by the Scriptures must meditate upon the truth that has been presented to him. By earnest attention and prayerful thought he must learn the meaning of the words of truth, and drink deep of the spirit of the holy oracles….The soul dwelling in the pure atmosphere of holy thought will be transformed by communion with God through the study of Scriptures. Those who, having heard the word, keep it, will bring forth fruit in obedience.
The word of God, received into the soul, will be manifest in good works. Its results will be seen in a Christlike character and life…, “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:6.
The good-ground hearer, in receiving the word, accepts all its conditions and requirements. His habits, customs, and practices are brought into submission to God’s word. “If a man love Me,” Christ said, “he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23. The spell of a stronger, a perfect mind will be over us; for we have a living connection with the source of all-enduring strength. In our divine life we shall be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ. We shall no longer live the common life of selfishness, but Christ will live in us. His character will be reproduced in our nature. Thus shall we bring forth the fruits of the Holy Spirit—”some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.”
Christ’s Object Lessons pg. 58-61
Loud Cry Compendium
Loud Cry Compendium 