"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away," LUK 8:13.

God’s Word teaches us how urgent it is to know our hope for salvation is based upon a solid foundation. Our Saviour warns of how important this is in MAT 7:22-23. In this context our Saviour admonishes us that many who are on the broad road will die thinking they died in faith believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

However see the admonition He gives them. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

To examine the foundation of our hope for eternity is the most important thing in any person’s religion! God’s Word cautions us in ECC 11:3, "…if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be." There is no second chance after this life as some may presume.

Our Saviour makes this point very clear in His parable about the ten foolish virgins whose lamps went out when the Bridegroom came. While they went to by oil—"they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut [did they get a second chance? NO!]. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not." They got the same answer as those Jesus spoke of in MAT 7:23.

Oh beloved, examine your precious soul by the light of our text. You may well have received the word with joy; your feelings may well have been stirred, and a lively impression made. Our text clearly teaches that this alone is not salvation!

The principle our Saviour taught in this parable is that there is no salvation without repentance. Remember, that to receive the Word in the ear is one thing, and to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as King upon the throne of your heart is quite another.

Our Saviour cautions us in this parable that superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of heart, and a lively impression of the Word is not always a lasting one. In the parable, the seed in one case fell upon ground having a rocky bottom, covered over with a thin layer of earth.

When the seed began to take root, its downward growth was hindered by the hard stone upon which it fell; therefore it spent its strength in pushing its green shoot aloft as high as it could, but having no inward moisture derived from root nourishment, it withered away.

Eternity is all decisive! Examine your case while you are still in the day of grace. Have you been making a fair show in the flesh without having a corresponding inner life? Good growth takes place upward and downward at the same time. Has the seed of the gospel fallen in good soil in your soul? LUK 8:15 says, "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

The seed of the Word cannot germinate and bear fruit if the heart remains hard as a stone and unaffected. The good seed may germinate for a season, but it must ultimately wither, for it cannot flourish on a rocky, unbroken, unsanctified heart.

Our Saviour’s emphasis in the parable centered on not only hearing, but also keeping His word’s in the way of obedience—that is why He compares it to taking root downward and bearing fruit, i.e., the fruit of repentance.

Our Saviour said, "They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience," LUK 8:13-15. Amen.

HEAR, O MY LORD

Hear, O my Lord, regard my cry,
My prayer from lips sincere;
Send Thine approval from on high,
To make my standing clear;
And, greatly as my heart is tried,
O may I not have turned aside.

Lord, I resolve with firm desire
No wrong to speak or do;
Thy path alone I choose for mine,
To walk with purpose true;
I cry for help, O Lord, to thee,
Assured that Thou wilt answer me.

O keep me, Lord, may I be found
The apple of Thine eye;
With deadly foes arrayed around
To thee alone I cry:
My only trust and refuge be;
And let Thy wings o’er shadow me.

Guard me from those whose joy and pride
And portion is below;
Who, with life’s treasures satisfied,
No better purpose know,
Who, with earth’s stores of wealth content,
Must leave them all when life is spent.