Rocky Soil

"The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away." Matthew 13:20-21, NASB (1995)

We live in a very comfortable time. The least prosperous among us live like kings compared to the wealthiest from just a few hundred years ago. Not only material comforts, but we have personal liberties that are unprecedented in all of human history, especially here in America. I wonder how many of us will be like the man who has no firm root in himself, and when afflictions come will 'fall away'.

What I find particularly compelling about this passage is the clause "because of the word". Some of us have either experienced or observed people that go through trials with health, lose a loved one, or endure some other significant event. Some Christians blame God and fall away from the faith because of these events, and this is truly sad, but most endure in the faith, seeking refuge in God's merciful arms. However, very few Christians in modern times have experienced what Jesus is talking about in this passage. How many of us have had to deal with persecution? Sure, we as Christians risk rejection when we share the Word with a non-believer, and may even be mocked by some. But real persecution? That happens in China and India, but not in the U.S.A.

However, I believe that a time is coming, possibly within our lifetimes, where we as Christians will have our faith put to the test. In particular, the rise of activist groups in our society that have a vested interest in the subversion of the Truth have gained political strength and now have the means to alter the safe environment that we have enjoyed for so long. We will not go from where we are now to end-times abruptly, but it will be a gradual happening. I see a time in the near future where the government will revoke the tax-exempt status of churches that speak out against sin, in particular homosexual sin. I believe that the recent movements in so-called 'hate speech' will start to focus on words coming from the Bible (and those who preach it), so that any condemnation of sin will be viewed as hateful and will be persecuted.

I pray that my faith produces fruit according to His Will, and that my soil is the good soil. I pray that when the time comes for me to stand firm against harsh persecution, that I will be able to do so through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.