“Until...”

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

In Jesus' illustration using the house built on sand and the house built on solid rock (Matt. 7:24-27), both houses looked the same... until the storm came.

In his parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-8), the plants from three of the environments—the thorny soil, the rocky soil, and the good soil—looked the same... until it came time to bear fruit.

In his parable of the good seed and the tares (Matt. 13:24-30), both types of plant looked like they were going to be just fine... until the harvest.

The reality for us is that the Christian and the church-goer-only may look identical to the outside observer. Both may look morally solid. Both may look spiritually healthy. Both may look like they're going to be just fine in the long run. Until...

Until the storms of life come. Then you'll see a difference.
Until it comes time to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Then you'll see a difference.
Until the harvest—the judgment day—comes. Then you'll see a difference.

Are you going to be the church-goer-only and pray for ease and for no trials, no reckoning, and no harvest? Or are you going to be the Christian and pray for strength to endure, the faith to bear fruit, and the grace to be in His harvest?

- Dan Lankford, minister

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