The Ground and the Seed

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When I speak of the "ground" in relation to seed, I speak referring to our knowledge of seed.  Seed is the word planted in something that is stable and rich.  In a believer, ground is the character, the stable and rich soil that allows the seed to manifest and develop.  Everything a believer receives, especially pertaining to God, is seed.  Yet, if the character is corrupt, then the seed is useless.  One must deal with the ground before you can plant the seed.

It's very complicated today because many do not have a strong foundation regarding what is Right and what is Wrong.  Basically, the concept of right and wrong thinking is warped.  On such topics as poverty, lack, money race, education, morality, and immorality: (a) Could you despite the labels stand with God? (b) Could you identify the difference and make a right decision?   The Word of God is designed to make it right. 

The very first two books I ever read even before I got started to study were the Book of St.
Matthew and Right and Wrong Thinking by Kenneth Hagin.  These readings helped me frame things on this subject because God's word did not need my personal bias or inflections.  His word had to be absolute. 

In Matthew 13:1-23 regarding the Parable of the Sower and the Seed, Jesus speaks of the sower sowing seed which fell or was planted in various places.  Without going into great detail, I challenge you to read the passage.  However, I will say that this points to the Kingdom of Heaven and that Jesus is directing us regarding our faith in reference to our thinking.  The seed is only productive in relation to where it is sown.

I would like to start with a clear statement.  I am persuaded that the witness of God's person and power is in every human heart by reason of creation's testimony.  According to Romans 1:18-32, lest they receive the Gospel and be converted, they cannot learn how to live by faith.  The writer is blunt in his assessment of the fruits of human sin, arrogance, and perversion (Romans 1:21-32) but equally bold in describing the potential of God's forgiveness for any and all sins through the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 3:9-26).

The above has led me to two important considerations.  First, that through the word, faith is something that is constantly and continually being developed rather than something which is put on or apprehended.  The believer once coming into Christ, puts Him on and receives a measure of faith, which must be developed.  Second, the corresponding key to development is conversion. 
Conversion is a turning from evil to God.  For example, in Acts 21:9, God converts the unsaved into the saved, from the unregenerate to the regenerate.  Conversion is produced through the preaching of the Gospel and results in repentance and a new creation.  The fruit of conversion is listed in Galatians 5:22-23.  A prime example of conversion is exhibited by Paul in Acts 26:15-20. 

The receptivity of the word, when received in faith must lead to conversion.  This newly converted individual, having repented, and turned to God, then proceeds to lead a life of faith in Christ.  This regenerated individual takes on a new personality solely concerned with pleasing God, based on receiving seeds of faith.  His conversion is based not just on the seed but on the regenerated ground which it lies and produces. 

In closing, I'm asking God what's my role in all of this, and what is next?  God would have you pray for anyone who doesn't have anyone to pray that they might come to Him.  The time is short!  I have accumulated much new material, which I have offered to the readers of my Blog. Each embodying successive corrections and supposed improvements.  My philosophical and critical points of view has been charged by the way many ministers I see have moved from the historical moral practices that the bible would direct our leadership. 

Over the years, I have taught the values that would keep a saint on the path that would bring spiritual growth, and develop faith in the doer of the Word of God. 

Learn to use wisdom and get better results.

Talk to you soon,
Pastor James P. Norman Jr.
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