In verses 7-8 God used an illustration that the readers would be familiar with. It is a similar illustration to that which Jesus gave in Matthew 13. In our text we see that the earth is capable of taking in the rain that comes often. This year we have had frequent rains in our area. The ground has been able to take that rain in. In some places there have been puddles for a few days, but then the water is gone. The subsoil was quite depleted and it is being replenished with the rains we have had.
When the soil gets good and timely rains, the crops can grow properly. The person who looks after the crop is rewarded due to the timely rains. The person receives the blessing from God. It is nothing the person really earned. The farmer may do his best to get a good crop. However, if the rains do not come, he will not get much of a crop. He is dependent upon the Lord for the moisture needed for the crop. Irrigation can help, but if there is no rain, the source for irrigation is also eliminated by the drought.
In verse 8 we are reminded that the ground that produces thorns and briers is rejected. If that piece of ground continues to produce only thorns and briers it will be written off as being unworthy of the effort involved in farming it. The farmer will go out there and burn those thorns and briers. He does not want them to go to seed. That ground also receives rain, but the rain does not produce a good crop.
Thus in our text there must be more than just outward emotion and manufactured actions. There needs to be a rooting of the seed in the heart of the hearer. There must be the appropriate fruit produced. A person that refused to benefit from God’s blessings, was cursed. He did not have a home in heaven. He was been unwilling to receive the gift of salvation and thus there was no home in heaven for him.
In verse 9 the writer pointed out that He was persuaded of better things of the recipients. The reason being that the recipients were saved. God changes the lost person. He is capable of better things. He is also required to glorify God. The saved person is not just a hearer of the Word. The saved person will also but a doer but can be in danger of not growing. That is the conclusion of chapter 5.
The true child of God must produce fruit that is in agreement with the gift of salvation. The writer needed to warn of the danger of false assumptions. He also was directed to remind the readers that this danger is avoided when a person is truly saved. If the person is truly saved, they did not get fire insurance. God’s gift of salvation is not just an escape route from hell. God’s gift of salvation is eternal life. It is a change from the moment of salvation. The thief on the cross did not have opportunity to demonstrate much of the change that Jesus provided for him at salvation. We see that the repentant thief was changed. He did not continue to rail at Jesus. He did not rail at the soldiers or anyone else either. He asked to be forgiven and saved and Jesus forgave him and saved him. When he died he entered paradise immediately. In the meantime, he had a peace in his heart that the other thief did not have.
In verse 10 of our text we are reminded that God knows all that His child is doing. He rewards faithfulness. Faithfulness is expressed by work and labour of love. This work is showed toward His name. Christians serve their new Master. They are willing to be spent in service for the Lord. In practical terms they do not hesitate to attend a good church faithfully. They do not hesitate to give out tracts where possible. They give faithfully to the work of the local church. They pray for their pastor and for others.
The writer stated that the faithful, minister to the saints continually. They do not grow weary in well doing.
In verses 11-12 the writer sought to encourage the saints to show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end. Again we are reminded of the importance of faithfulness. God is faithful. He expects His children to be faithful to Him. That faithfulness continues right to the end. Sometimes we can grow senile in old age. However, as long as we are of sound mind we need to be willing to serve the Lord faithfully. If we know Him and follow Him faithfully, He will look after us even if our mind grows weak.
In verse 12 we are reminded that we cannot be slothful. To be slothful is to be slow or lazy. Those who are saved have a message that others need to hear. They have a hope that others need to be reminded of. Thus we are challenged to be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
The promises of God are sure. We live in a fallen world. There have been times of greater persecution for saints. The first century Christians certainly experienced that. There have been other times of greater persecution as well. There have been world wars fought. I have read that some people wondered what God was doing during those times.
We have lived in a time of relative ease. Part of that ease has been due to disobedience on the part of those who are saved. We have not always been faithful in our witness. We have become complacent. We have tried to align ourselves with the world’s system rather than clearly stand on the side of truth.
We see the need here to learn from others who are faithful. This is another reason for faithfulness in a true local church. We need mentors. We need the encouragement of other saints. Those who choose to stay home and not join a good local church are missing out and they are also failing to help others to be faithful. We need one another as saints. We need the prayers of one another and we need the fellowship that comes with meeting together with others.
Pastor Bartel