GOOD SOIL YIELDS GOOD FRUIT
‘And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit.’
Here the seed falls in deep, well-prepared soil, and at harvest ‘the valleys stand thick with corn.’ When gathered in it is found to yield thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold, and the farmer rejoices.
Who are these? Those who have an ‘ honest and good heart,’ made so by Him from Whom comes ‘the preparations of the heart in man’ (Proverbs 16:1), open to receive good; sincere, like Nathanael and Lydia. Proof of this shown by:—
I. Receiving the Word.—‘Thy Word have I hid in mine heart.’
II. Understanding the Word.—With heart and mind.
III. Keeping the Word, not letting it go, when world tries to draw away.
IV. Bringing forth fruit with patience.—Corn has many dangers to pass through, and a Christian has many trials and difficulties, but he who has an ‘honest heart’ perseveres and produces fruit, not all alike—different measures; some more, some less, but all should strive to bring forth more, remembering John 15:8. This fruitfulness is the proof of having the ‘honest heart.’
Rev. R. R. Resker.
Illustration
‘There will always be some persons in this state of soul where the Gospel is faithfully preached. Their numbers may very likely be few, compared to the worldly around them. Their experience and degree of spiritual attainment may differ widely, some bringing forth thirty, some sixty, and some a hundredfold. But the fruit of the seed falling into good ground will always be of the same kind. There will always be visible repentance, visible faith in Christ, and visible holiness of life. Without these things there is no saving religion.’