Uncommen: SoilSample

The Good Soil

Today's Soil Sample: The Good Soil

“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” - Matthew 13:23.

Along the path soil is resistant to the Gospel.

Rocky ground soil withers away.

Among the thorns soil is choked and proves unfruitful.

The good soil is where the goodness and power of God happens. So, let’s observe from our passage what good soil does. All along, we’ve been considering how we can have good soil instead of the other examples. 

How can we be good soil?

Jesus Christ is the seed. We’re made good soil by His perfect works. Therefore, we have no need for any works or effort. We can be made good soil by trusting in Jesus Christ for our salvation.

What happens when we’re placed in good soil?

Firstly, we can thank God. If we’re there, it’s not by our own doing. It’s the work of God. Our work alone is filthy rags. We have no right to be in good standing with God. We have no ability to have faith on our own. Yet, God was merciful. He showed compassion on us. He granted us faith. So, firstly, we should thank God.

Secondly, we should bear good fruit. Continuing our conversation from day 4, if we’re in good soil, we should be bearing fruit. Deep, fruitful faith leads to actionable faith. It leads to good works. That order is important. The good works don’t come first. Our faith comes first (James 2:14). From there, we’re able to do good works because God predestined them for us (Ephesians 2:10).

So, we should love God and love our neighbor. We should be loving, joyful, patient, peaceful, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. You probably caught my drift. We should have the fruits of the spirit. This is how we should be known. It’s a good way for us to benchmark how we’re doing. To be clear, if we’re doing poorly at these things, it doesn’t mean we’re not saved. Our salvation is not reliant on good works. However, real faith does produce works. Therefore, it’s evidence that we are indeed truly saved when we see the fruits of the spirit in our lives.

If we’re lacking in these things, we should pray to God and ask His mercy and grace to plant us in good soil. 

Uncommen Questions:

Are you in good soil?

Are you seeing fruit in your life?

Uncommen Challenge:

Love God and love your neighbor.