An Honest Heart. 2

How many, for example, suppose that regeneration consists of a radical change of the old nature, a transforming of the flesh—into the beauty of holiness—and then because they discover there is still a sink of iniquity within, and sin now rages even more fiercely than it did formerly, draw the conclusion that most certainly no miracle of grace has been wrought within them?

Now in the parable of the Sower, the first recorded one of Christ's, we find what should be of great comfort to the fearing and trembling ones of the flock, for if they will carefully compare themselves with the different characters which are depicted in that parable, they ought to be able to perceive which of them portrays their own case and describes their own condition, and thus ascertaining which company they really belong. But in order to this there must be a genuine and frank looking of facts in the face. On the one hand, there must be no undue eagerness to believe the best of themselves, refusing to recognize their own features if the mirror of the Word reflects them as ugly ones. And on the other hand there must be no stubborn determination to go on believing the worst of themselves, declining to identify their picture even when it is drawn by the heavenly Artist, simply because it depicts their countenance as made lovely by the operations of Divine grace. Mock humility and feigned modesty are as much a sin as pride and presumption. David was not boasting when he said, "How love I Your Law," nor was Paul when he said, "I have fought a good fight." Each spoke the truth—but gave God the glory for his experience.

In the parable of the SOWER, our Lord sets before us the reception which the preaching of God's Word meets with. He likens the world to a field, which He divides into four parts according to the different kinds of its ground or soil. In His interpretation of the parable, Christ explained thosedifferent soils as representing various classes of those who hear the Word. They may be termed the hard-hearted, the hollow-hearted, the half-hearted, and the honest-hearted. The importance of this particular parable, appears in the fact that it is recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke, and all three narratives should be carefully compared in order to obtain the complete pictures set forth.

In this parable Christ is speaking not from the standpoint of the Divine counsels, for there can be no failure there—but from that of humanaccountability. What we have here is the Word of the Kingdom addressed to man's responsibility, the effect it has on him, his response thereto, and the reasons why the outcome is either unfruitfulness or fruitfulness.

The first class are the WAYSIDE hearers. In eastern countries the public highway often runs right through the center of a field, and because of the traffic constantly passing over—it is beaten down, packed, and becomes hard and unyielding. Such is the heart of all those who are given up to the commerce, the pleasures and fashions of this world. They may from various motives, attend a church—but the preaching of the Word has no effect upon them: they are unresponsive thereto. They do not go there seeking a blessing and their souls, are unaffected by what they hear. They do not cry unto God, "that which I do not see—teach me" (Job 34:32), for they are not concerned for His glory, or their own eternal welfare. They have no real personal interest in spiritual things, and are quite unimpressed by the most solemn representations, and unmoved by the most winsome appeals. Their bodies are in the pews—but their minds are elsewhere; their thoughts are upon the things which perish; their affections set on things below. They are not there to worship God—and are glad when the service is over.

Now let us notice the two things which are said of this class.

First, "when anyone hears the Word of the kingdom, and understands it not" (Matthew 13:19). How could the message have any effect upon him—when he failed to grasp its purpose? And how could he expect to enter into its meaning, when his attention was not concentrated thereon, when his interest was elsewhere? He has none but himself to blame. If he does not pray for light, whose fault is it that he remains in darkness!

Second, "then the Wicked One comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart." Where there has been no meditation upon the Word heard or read, no understanding thereof, and so, no impression made upon the heart—it is an easy matter for the great Enemy of God and man, to catch away the good Seed—or crowd out of the mind that which obtained a superficial entrance—so that there will not even be serious reflection thereon. Now my reader, are you prepared to solemnly and definitely affirm that you have no understanding of the Word of God, that it is entirely to you as if written in an unknown tongue, that Satan has so caught it away it has no place in your thoughts?

The second-class are the STONY-GROUND hearers. The type of ground referred to here, is that where the bed or base is of rock yet with a thin layer of earth over it. Into this shallow soil, the seed is received—but the result is most superficial and evanescent. It cannot be otherwise, for as our Lord points out, "they had no deepness of earth, and when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away." Those who belong to this class are what may be termed the emotional type. They are very impressionable, easily moved, quickly stirred. Yet it is all on the surface. They make good resolutions and quickly break them. They hear the Gospel and are carried away by the eloquence of the preacher and leap into Christ, as it were, in a moment, and profess an instantaneous faith in Him. Their faces are radiant and their joy is exuberant. They are the ones who come "forward" at Revival meetings and rush into church membership—but their future history is most disappointing. Let us take note of the three things said of this class.

First, "the same is he who hears the Word and instantly with joy receives it." The emotions have been stirred—but the conscience has not been searched. There was no awe of soul in realizing Who it is with whom we have to do, no heart-rending horrors of the sinfulness of sin, no alarm at the wrath to come—nothing but a sudden—yet transient, joy.

Second, "yet has he no root in himself." It was only a surface effect, a mere passing sentiment. There has been no plowing up of the soul, no Law-work producing deep and lasting convictions.

Third, "but endures for a while; and when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, by and by he is offended" (Matthew 13:20, 21). Their "goodness is as a morning cloud and as the early dew that goes away" (Hosea 6:4) The scoffs of the ungodly, the cold shoulder from old friends prove too much for them—and the churches know them no more. Now my reader, test yourself at this point: has your experience stood the test of time, or have you abandoned your profession and returned to your wallowing in the mire?

The third class are the THORNY-GROUND hearers. The type of ground here referred to, is where the soil seems to be more fertile and favorable, for it is neither so beaten down as to have an impenetrable surface, nor so shallow that there is no room for root. But it is inimical to a desirable crop, for weeds and thistles, thorns and briars choke and crowd out the good seed so that an harvest is prevented. This is admittedly the most difficult class to diagnose. The seed has taken root and a shoot springs up and promises well—but it is surrounded by hostile weeds. However, it survives and puts forth an ear—but it is so overgrown with briars, that the sunshine cannot reach it—its life is choked, and it comes to nothing. They who belong to this class attempt to serve two masters. They are very pious on the Lord's Day—but thoroughly impious on the other days. They sing the songs of Zion, are members of a church—but make no serious attempt to regulate their daily lives by the precepts of Holy Writ.

Let us take note of Christ's interpretation of the thorns. In Matthew 13:22 they are defined as "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches." The one who has made a Christian profession is young. He has a growing family, his position in this world is not yet secured and therefore he cannot be expected to be out and out for the Lord. Once he "does well in life" he will have more leisure for spiritual things and more to give to the cause of Christ. Meanwhile temporal anxieties weigh him down. Suppose he "does well"—does the Lord now have the first place in his affections and thoughts? Far from it—riches are deceitful and cumber their possessor. He feels he must live in accord with his improved position, do more entertaining, send his children to an expensive college. Mark 4:19 adds "the lust for other things entering in"—perhaps he aspires to civic office—and how can he spirituality thrive in politics! Luke 8-14 gives "the pleasures of this life." These are the thorns which choke so many, and they "bring no fruit to perfection" or completion. Would you say, my readers, that the "thorns" have so choked the Word of God in you that you have brought no fruit to completion?

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