One day, in one verse -- Jesus describes everyone in the world that will go to Heaven.
And in five other verses He describes those who will not.
Have you ever reflected on His descriptions? Jesus said the words we are about to read as a warning for some (Watch out - you are Hell bound) and as a comfort for all the rest (Rejoice - you are Heaven bound).
So what does He say in this description? He said a heart that remains Trampled and Hardened Against God, Shallow With God, or Crowded Towards God will not enjoy the pleasures of God forever. Beware!
Goodness only comes from God.
Fruit always comes from a Good heart.
That fruit or harvest may be 30, 60, or 100 - but a good heart brings forth goodness for God's sake.
The most important question you will ever answer is the question, "Has God ever made you good?"
Not -- are you trying hard to be good.
Not -- have you done some good things - because bad people can always do good things if they want to. It is not what you do so much as what you are. Either we are good or evil as the center of our being. We were born not innocent but evil. We don't get polluted by our world as much as we pollute our world.
Are you good? Only God is good, so only God can make us good within.
Let's read the story Jesus told again. Luke 8:5-18.
- GOOD HEARTS NEVER STAY TRAMPLED: Mark 4:4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it.
- GOOD HEARTS NEVER THIRST: Mark 4:6a But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.
- GOOD HEARTS NEVER DIE: Mark 4:6-7 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.
- GOOD HEARTS ARE IMPLANTED: Mark 4:15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
- GOOD HEARTS HAVE REAL ROOTS THAT GO DEEP: Mark 4:17a and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.
The most important question you will ever answer is the question, "Has God ever made you good?"
Please click here to see 5 more characteristics of a Good Heart.
