Last Sunday's Sermon

[anon]

Mike, So, thinking on last Sunday's sermon, and on another book I WAS reading....If I am the preoccupied soil, what does that mean for me? In the book I was reading, the pastor/author says that only the fruitful soil is a "true" convert. Does that mean all the rest of us are still going to hell unforgiven?

[Mike Miller]

Well, I don't know if I would word it like that, but in the parable, the good soil represents the true converts. Now, if you are truly the preoccupied soil, then that is alarming. But again, let me clarify. All true believers can stumble and become preoccupied to certain degrees. The thorny soil represents people who hear the Gospel, but they are so preoccupied with the world, they never do anything with it. They might even pray a "sinners prayer" (nowhere found in Scripture, by the way), but they never really received Christ. The true test of one's salvation is perseverance. NOT PERFECTION, but perseverance. Anyone who is truly a believer, though not perfect, will grow and bear fruit. Some grow more rapidly than others, and some bear more fruit than others, but true believers bear fruit.

So, are you so preoccupied that you have never experienced any spiritual growth? Have you borne no fruit? Or are you in a backslidden state? Unfortunately, we have this mindset today that someone can walk an aisle, say a prayer, never grow in Christ, and be a true Christian. That is not biblical. Truly accepting Christ means new life. The old is gone, and the new is come (2 Corinthians 5:17). So, in answer to your last question, all those who are not born again through Christ are not saved.

I hope this clarifies, but if not, don't hesitate to prod me for some more information.