Four types of Christians?

Matthew 13:3-9 And He told them many things in parables (stories by way of illustration and comparison), saying, A sower went out to sow. 4And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and ate them up.5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil; and at once they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they dried up and withered away.7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them out.8 Other seeds fell on good soil, and yielded grain--some a hundred times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some thirty.9 He who has ears [to hear], let him be listening and let him [a]consider and [b]perceive and comprehend by hearing.

There are many denominations and individuals going around saying they got someone saved. I am sure there are many genuine repentance but how does the majority fall into place. What does scripture say? Jesus gave it in a parable. The Word of God is Life and it begins as a Seed. How that seed is spoken and received by an individual will determine whether fruit will be bore or self delusion will be bore. The Lord, Jesus, describes the Word of God as a seed falling into four types of soil or ground. The first is the roadside, the second is rocky ground, the third is among thorns, and lastly, the fourth soil which is the good soil.

In which ever the Seed has fallen, the individuals whether they represent the roadside, rocky ground, among thorns, or in the good soil will all perceive themselves as "Christians." And this can be technically true as we see in biblical history how God continues to call His people back to HIM as many forsake and give little thought to HIM.

Let us understand the parable.

Matthew 13:18-23 Listen then to the [meaning of the] parable of the sower: 19[h]While anyone is hearing the Word of the kingdom and does not grasp and comprehend it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the roadside.20 As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy;21Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, [i]lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and [j]begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away.22As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit.23As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the Word and grasps and comprehends it; he indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundred times as much as was sown, in another sixty times as much, and in another thirty.

When the Seed is sown in the heart of a person representing the roadside, the evil one comes and snatches what was sown in the heart of the individual. I observe many like this who grew up in church but do not have any depth in their belief. It is more like they acknowledge God and they do believe He exit but they do not believe in the sense of reacting to His Word. It has become more or less a formality. But yet, many in this category still believe they are Christians and heaven bound.

When someone receives the saving Grace of Jesus Christ and we may see what appears to be genuine repentance as some receive it in joy and tears, we also observe for many this may last only a short period as one begins to distance themselves from God as things in their lives become difficult. We see in verse 21, there was no real root and persecution or mocking may come from family or friends. As trouble comes the the fear of men is what leads the individual to compromise thus affecting him/her from fully following and obeying the Lord. The verse states that such an individual "falls away" even when at the beginning they had received it in joy. But yet, many in this category still believe they are Christians and eventually heaven bound. They know they need to get their act straight but they are still deluded thinking they will make it to heaven if they died in their present state.This is self delusion as one denies the Lord. Scripture says if we deny HIM, HE will deny us.

The third soil or ground is among thorns. Such individuals claim to believe in Jesus and acknowledge His existence but are too busy with the cares of life. They are too busy chasing after their careers, retirement, personal goals/ambitions, money, vanity, perfect time, personal glory, and etc. Such individuals may occasionally attend church on the holidays or special events. They are self deluded thinking Grace will give them a free ticket because they think they are exempt from fully obeying or following because of the Grace card. However, grace was not given to us so we can continue how He found us but to change us as He is. Many even in this category still believe they are Christians and heaven bound but they are but serving two masters.

Lastly, when an individual represents the good soil, the believer reacts to the Word. The Word to him/her is living and alive. As such a person is led by the Spirit of God, he/she bears fruit and glorifies God. The person in which the seed has fallen into good soil is living the Word of God. It is not just theory or history but it is now part of him/her. This seed grows and becomes a branch to the Vine which is being fed by God.

John 15:1-8 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.2Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.3You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].4Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.5I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.6If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.7If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

Matthew 3:10 And already the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Professing to be a Christian because we grew up in church or because our parents were preachers does not qualify us to enter the Kingdom of God. Professing to be Christians because we accepted an altar call does not guarantee us from finishing the race. The altar call is the beginning of a difficult narrow race. Professing to be Christians because we tell everyone we love Jesus does not qualify us either. Shouting out how one is a Christian and how one loves the Lord on Facebook is not bearing fruit.

Everyone in the above four groups all believe they are pretty much heaven bound. However, scripture is not presenting it to be so. When we become a Christian, it is but a beginning of a long journey on a difficult narrow road. The Seed of Life has been implanted in our hearts and as we grow, we will face storms, droughts, insects, and many issues. But the objective is to become a tree for God that bears abundant fruit to feed and provide shade for the weary and others. Many things could happen as this tree is growing. The cares of life, persecution, apathy, etc may choke the growth of the individual in becoming a mature God fearing overcoming Christian. Many can start this race but few will finish.

The world has its NASCAR Daytona 500 car race. If one races and crashed on the 499th lap, it is but all in vain. We must finish this race clinging on to HIM for dear life. Examine your lives and determine which soil or ground the Seed or the Word of God has fallen onto you. Grace is there as He gives us the time to help us become good soil if we choose to do so. We choose to do so as we count it all lost and we make a choice to fully obey and follow HIM. We choose to do so as we crucify our flesh and let the Spirit of God lead us instead of our soul. One can produce their own fruit as Cain had tilled his own soil but at the end it will not be accepted. We must produce the Fruit of the Holy Spirit as led by HIM through faith. Otherwise, the ax is at the root of the tree that does not bear fruit ready to be thrown in the fire. Every body thinks they have faith yet Jesus is asking if He will find any when He returns?

Luke 18:8 (AMP) I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [[a]persistence in] faith on the earth?

Ask the Lord to put His salve on the eyes and ears of  your hearts so you may see HIS TRUTH. Let us be willing to have our hearts be fully circumcised. Let us become good soil producing much fruit as it is still called today.

Fire of God
Steve Yong Kim
April 30, 2012