Matthew 13:7 (NKJV) And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them.
When you surrender your life, mind, heart, spirit and body to Jesus Christ, accept the truth that He went to the cross to bear the sins of the world, your sin, and believe in your heart that God raised Him to life three days later, you are saved. Through His sacrifice, you are justified, your slate wiped clean, you are made righteous. That cannot be reversed. John 10:28-30 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.” Satan lost that battle. There is nothing that he can do to pull you from Jesus’ embrace. That’s the good, no great news!
Now, the meat of today’s commentary. In Matthew 13:7 we see a secondary tactic employed by the evil one. He no longer has opportunity to claim you as a trophy. You belong to God and cannot be snatched away. So, his next option is to render you inconsequential. This is, I believe, one of the greatest dangers facing the American church. Luke 8:14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. We live in satan’s domain and he will utilize any and all tools at his disposal to render you ineffectual. As a follower of Christ, one of your primary obligations is to go into the world and make disciples. Fortunately for satan and unfortunately for us, our culture provides satan with a plethora of options to call into service to sideline us from the work God would use us for. The evil one cannot rip us away but he can maneuver and position us in such a manner that he may be able to get to those we were meant to touch.
The only way to counter this is diligence. We have to arm ourselves against the never ending onslaught. If we are to resist the barrage of distractions he casts in our way, we most be focused, intentionally. We must pray, seek God’s heart, desire to know Him, through His word, His communion, His gifts and His Spirit. Do not allow the things of this world to entangle you and impede your mission. Another’s eternity could, very well, be at stake. Have a blessed weekend.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
