Mark 4:20 NKJV
“But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
The parable of the sower, which Jesus spoke in Mark 4, says a great deal that directly relates to our relationship with God’s word. In giving the explanation of the parable, regarding the seed (God’s word) that fell in the good ground, the Lord Jesus said that that represents “…those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred”, as indicated in our text. Hallelujah! Notice the progression: it is those who, firstly, “hear the word [of God],” then, secondly, “accept it,” who, thirdly, “bear fruit” as a result of the first two steps. Hallelujah!
The fruit represents the impact and testimonies of the Word at work in and through those who hear and accept it. Without doubt, many are hearing God’s word through various means in our day. However, there is a vital step after hearing God’s word at every moment: one must “accept it” as the final authority—far over all other situations, contradictions, or arguments being fronted by the devil or earthly issues. Indeed, it is one thing to hear God’s word, but it is another thing to accept it with all conviction. Our hearts and minds must accept that God’s word is life and power to bring about the desired change, to the glory of God.
The Apostle Paul once thanked the Thessalonian believers because “…when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 The 2:13 NKJV). Hallelujah! It is the accepted and welcomed word of God that “effectively works in you who believe” so as to bear fruit. That order cannot be skipped: bearing fruit comes only after accepting God’s word, which Word must first be heard. That said, therefore, teach your heart and mind to accept God’s word. You will certainly bear more Word-initiated fruit to the glory of God.
Pst. Emmanuel
