You may ask, what in the world does it mean to have God’s Word choked in my life? The answer to this question is found in a story that Jesus told about a farmer who planted seeds on different types of ground (Mark 4:1-20). One type of ground was covered with weeds. The seeds the farmer planted in the weedy ground could not grow because the weeds used up all the sunlight and water. As a result the seeds simply got choked out and could not produce any fruit to be harvested because it could not receive what it needed to grow. Jesus explained a little later that the weedy ground represents people whose lives are so full of distraction that the seed, which is God’s Word, cannot blossom into an overflow of good works. Unfortunately, many people think it is acceptable to God to be unfruitful, but the reality is that in the end they will get burned (Heb 6:8).

The Necessity of Being Fruitful…

The types of fruit that God is looking for in a person’s life are love, joy, peace, patience…self-control (Gal 5:22-23) and these things are not something mustered up by individuals, but rather a simple result of persistently trusting God in all situations (Gal 5:6, Jas 2:18). These qualities that are produced in the heart are revealed to the world through outward actions of good works (Mat 12:33-37). Though good works do not save anyone, (trusting in Jesus Christ does) they do reveal whether or not someone truly knows God (1 Jn 2:3-6, Titus 1:16, Mat 7:16-20). For in the end, all people will be judged according to what they do (2 Cor 5:10). Everyone who is not producing good fruit (AS A RESULT of knowing God) will go to hell (Luke 13:6-9, Mat 3:10; 24:14-46).

How to be a Fruitful follower of Jesus…

The Bible says in Heb 12:1-2, “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” Here, in this small passage, is an amazing reality that empowers people to live a fruitful life in Christ. First we find the instruction to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. People need to weed out of their lives the pleasure-driven lifestyle that has taken over so many and start living for God without trying to satisfy themselves through entertainment (Luke 9:23). Since God is in control of all things and he cares about people, they must stop worrying about all the things going on in their lives and start trusting Jesus to work out everything for the good of those who are obedient to him (Prov 3:5-6). Then without hindrance they need to strive to be in constant communion with God through prayer and meditation on the bible (Phil 4:4-9), having serving Christ as their goal in life. When people spend time with God like this throughout their whole day, they naturally produce the good fruit that God desires. NO ONE CAN PRODUCE FRUIT THAT IS PLEASING TO GOD APART FROM THIS TYPE OF INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM (Jn 15:5).

If your life is full of weeds and you are producing bad fruit or are simply not producing good fruit, God will eternally punish you unless you repent and turn from your unfruitful ways.

Why are we celebrating this July 4th?

Many of us get together because we like to party and enjoy fireworks. Nevertheless, there is more about the 4th of July that we often forget. This day marked the point in time when our nation declared itself free from bondage to another nation. We the people of the United States stood up to those who were oppressing us and won our freedom.

...but are we really free?

Bondage or Freedom?

Today moral corruption threatens our freedom and ability to enjoy life. It is dividing our nation, friendships, families, and even our own minds. This enemy is hidden and lies within each of our hearts. A wise man once wrote, “Within us dwells no good thing.” We the people are corrupt and enjoy many things that God hates. We have stopped trusting God and started plugging our ears with countless things: Hollywood, Sports, American Idol, Facebook, UFC, Wall Street, ESPN, Drugs, Drunkenness, Anti Depressants, Jobs, Porn, Money, Strip Clubs, Endless Concerts, Dance Clubs, Fox News, Blockbuster, Dish Network, Texting, Nascar, Politics, Religion, YouTube, and so on... As a result, this corruption within us is dominating our lives and causing us to get impatient, fight with those we love, and slide into depression. This bondage to corruption is evidence that we don’t really trust in God or believe what He said.

Is there a way out?

Many among us have accepted this corruption as a way of life and have not understood its devastation. Nevertheless, Jesus (the Son of God) says, “I tell you the solemn truth, everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the family forever, but the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34-36). Jesus can set us free from the corruption of sin within our hearts, but we must obediently follow Him. Jesus explains this when He said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his soul will lose it, but whoever loses his soul for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits his soul?” (Luke 9:23-25) If we don’t turn from our selfish sinful lifestyle to obedience in following Jesus, it will cause us devastation not only in this life, but also when our soul is eternally locked in the lake of fire.

There is Hope!

We need not live in bondage, constantly sinning because of our corruption, nor must we burn in the lake of fire when we die. God deeply cares about us (and our nation) and has provided a way out of our mess. He did this by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sins by having Him die in our place. Nevertheless, God also raised His Son back to life so that He can lead us to victory over the corruption within our hearts. By believing what Jesus did for us and obediently following His leading we can be completely saved from sin (Matthew 1:21).

Don’t settle for any bondage this 4th of July, but count the cost of exchanging your life of self indulgence for a life of joy, peace, and freedom. Turn from sin and God will forgive you. He will change your desires so that you will enjoy pleasing Him and He will put His Spirit within you. You can walk in the freedom from sin which God has provided for you!

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