Uncommen: SoilSample

In the face of Persecution


Before we reach the climax and the good soil, let’s reflect once more on the full story of the Parable of the Sower. Thus far, we’ve seen three different types of soil:  Soil along the path, soil among the rocks, and soil among the thorns. All three lead to hardness of hearts and fruitlessness. More importantly, they lead to eternal damnation. None of them exhibit faith ultimately.

As every believer does, we should be looking to find assurance that we don’t fall into any of these three kinds of soil for people who are participating in ongoing sanctification. The first kind of soil can be easy to spot. If you aren’t resistant to the Gospel, you aren’t “along the path” soil. The second two kinds of soils are far more dangerous and can be sneaky.

Fruit of the second and third soil often becomes apparent when persecution hits. We see this from Matthew 13:21 - “yet he has no firm root in himself but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.”

In previous days, we discuss being planted in the Word and avoiding worldly pleasures, but what about persecution? Did you know Jesus promises persecution for His believers? John 15:19-20 says, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world; therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they keep my word, they will also keep yours.”

They persecuted Jesus. They will persecute us. We should expect it. In fact, Matthew 5:10 says it’s a blessing. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The fruitless soils from the parable we are studying crack under the pressure of persecution. Fruitful believers expect persecution and are blessed by it! Considers Acts 5:41 that comes immediately after being imprisoned and flogged for Jesus’ name sake… “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”


Uncommen Questions:

Do you rejoice at suffering?

How should we handle persecution?

Uncommen Challenge:

Trust God through persecution.