Matthew 13:18-23
18Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Some people claim that only the people that are saved can believe. Other people claim that only the people that believe are saved.
The way side did not believe and was not saved, or he was not saved so he did not believe.
The stony places believed for a while, but are not saved. Maybe he were never saved in the first place, so his belief was in vain? Maybe he never believed in the first place, so he was not saved? No, wait...he believed, and because of that he is saved even if he has no root and cannot continue in the belief? Can that really be true?
The thorns believed and continued to believe, but were unproductive, and are not saved. Maybe he was never saved in the first place, so his belief was in vain? Maybe he never believed in the first place, so he was not saved? No, wait...he believed, and because of that he is saved even if he does nothing? Can that really be true?
The good ground was saved, so he believed, endured, and was productive. Or the good ground believed, so he was saved, he endured, and he was productive.
If that is the case, then why did Jesus claim there were four types instead of two?
Could it be that Jesus was making different claims?
If the requirements for being saved are that you must believe, you must endure, and you must be productive, then you cannot be saved until after you have endured and were productive, but you can forfeit that salvation by not enduring and/or not being productive, even after you have believed.
- The way side did not believe, so was not saved.
- The stony places believed, but did not endure, so was not saved.
- The thorns believed and endured, but was unproductive, so was not saved.
- The good ground believed, endured, and was productive, so was the only one of the four that was saved.
Salvation occurs. It is a gift freely offered. Once indwelt by The Holy Spirit a union occurs. This is undisolvable. A saved person will think and act according to the fruits of
The Holy Spirit