Given to know!

v23n6

Mark 4:11-14, 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? 14 The sower soweth the word. KJV

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. He, the Son of God is given (Christ, Matt 16:16-17), for you to know; by coming to or arriving at a more clear and concise understanding of this mystery of the kingdom of God. Christ, the Son of God is given, that one may acquire a more clear and concise picture of God and His plan of salvation for you, (This mystery or secret which was kept hidden since the foundation of the world), and now is made manifest in these last days, that He might reveal to you this mystery, that you might become a partaker of His divine nature. It is this Word that will enable you to do that which Father asks of His children. This Word that is given to you, is pure, it is powerful, it is capable of allowing you to do and fulfill all that Father may ask of you. However, one has to choose to be willing and obedient to this Word; God cannot, nor will not force it on you.

There is but One who sows; and that seed which He sows is the Word of God. It is this Word that has been sent to all of the world. This Word was sent to heal you, to deliver you from your destruction’s. So, why is it, that so many hear His Word, but so few that understand it? Why is it, that so many claim to see it, yet so few that perceive and observe that which is hid within it? Does this mean that God and His Word are a failure? No! Does this mean that God and His plan of salvation for mankind is inadequate for the purpose that it was intended? No! The Word of God demands one’s attention, and then a positive or affirmative response to it by the hearer. One must hear God and His Word, (John 10:27, Rev 3:20, Matt 17:5, John 8:43, John 10:4-5, Heb 3:7), receive His Word into their life, and then allow this Word to become the lamp and light to their life. This Word must become an actual way of life, and living; not just something one talks about when the right people are around or near.

One must ignore, reject, and refuse all lies and deception, but rather study His Word, seeking only His approval, by taking the time and making the effort to rightly divide His Word of truth. One must receive God’s Word, by and with the terms and conditions that He has set forth. One must cherish, cling to, and keep His Word, for the precious gift that it is. It is when His Word is heard, received, and then applied to one’s life according to His terms and conditions, that His Word will not return void. (Isa 55:11)

Mark 4:15, And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. KJV

All to often, one looks at a verse like this, and many will assume that God and His Word failed. However, this is not the case at all. Those that were at the wayside did allow the Word of God into their heart for a brief period of time. They heard and accepted God’s Word. However, notice that the devil comes immediately to take away from them, that which was sown in the heart. Can you tell me why, anyone would allow the devil to come in, and take away that which was sown in the heart? Why would anyone allow the devil to come in and steal God’s Word from them? How precious or valuable could God’s Word been to them, if anyone would allow the devil to come in, and steal or take away the very Word of life from them?

How often have you gotten excited after hearing God’s Word, but then a day or two later, you returned to your old ways and habits? Was this God’s fault? Was it God and His Word that were faulty or at fault? How exactly was it that you allowed this Word to be stolen from you? Was it an armed robbery? Was it a burglary? Were you asleep when the thief broke in? (Matt 12:29-30, Mark 3:27).

Mark 4:16-17, 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. KJV

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe (have faith) in Him, should not perish, but obtain and have everlasting life. The stony ground: those who hear this message, and receive it with gladness. They are cheerfully delighted in that which they have heard of His Word. However, once the persecutions and pressures arise because of His Word, as quickly as they heard and believed this Word, they are now just as quick to relinquish or discard this Word of truth that they have heard.

Why does this happen? How does this happen?

Notice, that it tells us that they had no root within themselves! Their relationship with God, was based in and upon that which other people had spoken or conveyed to them. They were never quite sure, if all that they had heard was really in and of God and His Word. They had not made the time; nor had they given a proper effort, to continue, to abide, or to live in His Word. They had no depth within themselves of the truth of God and His Word.

One has to not only start in faith, (faith is by hearing the message delivered by the Word of God, Christ),{and if one thinks that Christ is only a title, the fall will come quickly}, but then also continue in the faith. (2Tim 3:12-17). One must not only continue in the faith, but one also has to become grounded and settled in it as well. They cannot allow anyone or anything, to try to remove this Word of faith from their life.

How often is it, that your decisions are influenced or swayed by that which other people say about you, or that which they may think about you? When one listens to and gives ear to the lies and deception, their minds become more clouded or blinded to the truth, and one will then stray from that strait and narrow path, and then follow the crowd and their leaders, down the wide and broad path that leads to destruction. It is much easier on the flesh, for one to follow the crowd and gain acceptance of the majority, then to cling to the truth of His Word, and have the rejection of man. (Gal 5:7, Ezek 18:24-26, Gal 6:9, 1Thess 3:5, Heb 3:6-8, Heb 3:14, Heb 10:38, 2Pet 2:18-22).

It is good to hear and share what others have to say about God and His Word. However, one must be as the Bereans were. The Bereans did not take Paul’s word for what he said and taught, but rather they went to the scriptures, to see if those things which he said and taught, was indeed according to the Word of truth. It is His Spirit that will lead us and guide us into all truth. However, one must be willing to be led by Him. One must be willing to follow Him, regardless of man’s actions or reactions to them. Whose approval is it that you have been seeking?

Mark 4:18-19, 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. KJV

What exactly are the priorities in your life? What people or things are there, that hold the majority of your daily focus? (Matt 16:26, Luke 9:25-26).

Note: The cares (worries or anxieties) of this world (this present evil world), the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts (cravings or desires for that which is forbidden by the Word) of other things, enter in! These things were allowed to come in, to enter their life, and what do you think the outcome will be?

Are these lusts, passions cravings and desires, greater than those that you have for God and His Word? Are these lusts, passions cravings and desires, greater then Him and His Word? NO! However, when the person believes the lie, more then they do the truth, they have now allowed the devil permission to enter. They have now chosen to follow the crowd down that wide and broad path that leads to eternal destruction. They are no longer focused in and on the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, but rather have focused in and on the things that this present evil world prizes or covets.

Many think or assume, that it is God that chooses what or who will be the good ground. God cannot, nor will He violate your free will. Each day, you have to choose who it is that you will serve, no one else can do it for you. What kind of ground have you prepared for His Word in you heart today? It is given for you to know the mystery of His kingdom! Do you?

That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ.

Larry Gazelka