THE parable of the Sower is divided into four parts, the first three giving the causes of the failure to produce fruit, and the fourth drawing attention to the unequal productiveness of the good seed. The parable itself does not let us directly into the secret of this difference, but the causes of it are not far to seek. It is evident that the ground had in some way or other been rendered less fertile, or had become less responsive to the care of the farmer, or that some hindrances had been permitted to interfere with the wished for result.
The sunshine and the rain and the seed were all alike, the soil too was good, hence; there must have been other factors at work that nullified their influence, and led to a diminishing return from the work of the sower. May it not be that the same influences that resulted in the barrenness in the first three instances were in a certain measure asserting themselves later on; that the once soft earth had become here and there trodden down so that the early shoot of the up springing life had difficulty in penetrating it; or that the cold stones had been allowed to accumulate and bury the seed; or that the birds of the air or the winds had carried seeds of noisome plants which springing up had usurped the place of the good?
It is quite common to see in the country a footpath quite destitute of verdure running across a field of rich corn, yet in the spring time there was not the least trace of a path, all the field had been equally ploughed up and carefully prepared for the seed, which had been sown with equal care on all parts of the field. But as the corn sprang up, first one person walked over it, then another, then a third till the surface became so gradually hardened that every sign of life was crushed out of existence.
Thus it is with many a child of God. The slight but repeated friendships with these who are unfriendly to the work of the Holy Spirit, gradually stifles all devotion to the Lord in the young believer, so that the yield of the field is considerably reduced.
Unless the work of these interferers is quickly undone by a restoring of the soil there will be lasting loss.
Then there are the stones. Fruitful soil is well known to be chiefly the result of the pulverization of the natural rock by the forces of heat and cold, wind and rain, etc., and that the stones found therein have either escaped these activities or have been brought there by outside agencies.
In every one born of the Spirit the flesh is found, for it is not eradicated by the new birth. If the flesh works there is manifested the hardness and deadness that are irresponsive to the influences of the Spirit, bringing forth no fruit that is pleasing to Him. All such hindrances must be removed ere there can be a full measure of return to the work of God in the heart. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” and again, “Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” are exhortations of which all stand in the greatest need.
Lastly there are the weeds, and to get rid of these weeding and hoeing are essential, for they are remarkably quick in reproduction, if left alone.
But what is a weed? it may be asked, A weed is merely a plant in the wrong place! Many weeds are most beautiful in color and in perfume, and delightful to look at. But they are out of place in the corn field. They are taking up the room and the nourishment that are meant for the crop; hence the careful farmer roots them up as soon as they show their heads. There is no room for both; the more weeds the poorer the crop.
With the increase of knowledge, the opening up of many new fields of scientific and artistic interest, the increased facilities for travel and amusement, it is not surprising that the birds of the air (compared to the evil one in Matthew 13:1919When 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. (Matthew 13:19)) and the winds (likened to agents for the spread of bad doctrines in Ephesians 4:1414That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:14)) should sow many of these seeds in the ground prepared for the reception of the good seed. Hence it is that light literature (sometimes of considerable literary merit and dealing with topics of an interesting character) that sports (and vigorous bodily exercise is highly beneficial for youths who have sedentary occupations) that smoking (sometimes recommended as a sedative for tired nerves) that study (necessary for the passing of many professional examinations) and even diligence in one’s daily occupations may easily become baneful weeds and reduce the productivity of the good soil from a hundred to sixty, or from sixty to thirty fold.
In one of the remote parts of the American continent there is a little creature that delights to feed on a particular plant that grows in the same locality. It is so fond of this particular plant that it will not allow any other plant to grow within reach, for no sooner does another show its head than it is at once destroyed, the result being that the favorite has no hindrance whatever to its full and perfect development. It is only by following such an interesting and useful example that the heart that is true to the Lord can yield a full measure of fruit to His praise and glory.
For it is to this end that we have been chosen. Did not the Lord say to His own “I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit” (John 15:1616Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)), and this fruit should be “unto holiness” (Rom. 6:2222But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22)) and to “the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:1111Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:11)). Such will be the product of the unhindered work of the Spirit of God in the soul. The working of the old and assertive nature that is so displeasing to Him will be kept in abeyance, there will be no tolerance of worldly influences, nor will the weeds of self-gratification however harmless in themselves be permitted, so that there shall be no restraining influences to the hundred-fold yield of the “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,” which form “the fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:2222But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Galatians 5:22)) in each one that would live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord of the harvest.
S. SCOTT.