The parable of the sower
"And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away." Mark 4:5-6
The sun is really not the problem of the tree that withered under the sun, the real problem is that its roots are not deep down. Look around the withered tree and you will find that there are other trees whose leaves are luster and green. The difference is the depth of their roots in the soil. The same is true for Christians who have buckled under adversity itself, the real problem is not the adversity, the problem is that they are not rooted in the word of God. Peter found this to be true when he denied Jesus following Jesus from afar off. Adversity, rather than destroying us, grows our spiritual muscles causing our roots to grow deeper in God. James had this in mind when he wrote that we should count it all joy when we trouble comes our way.
The problem is not the problem that is at hand, the problem is in how deep our root is in God, and the place that God occupies in our life. Adversity deepens our root in God if He is occupying the central place in our life. When adversity overcomes a believer, it is evidence that his roots are not deep in God. Those who only come to God for what they can get from Him do not have their roots deep in God, such are fair weather believers who are easily offended in the face of adversity.
"And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended." Mark 4:17. Again, it's important that we reiterate that the problem is not the affliction that arises against us, the problem is that we have no root in ourselves, therefore, when the problem comes, it assumes a size that is out of proportion. The sun only dries plants whose roots are far from water.
Toni
"And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away." Mark 4:5-6
The sun is really not the problem of the tree that withered under the sun, the real problem is that its roots are not deep down. Look around the withered tree and you will find that there are other trees whose leaves are luster and green. The difference is the depth of their roots in the soil. The same is true for Christians who have buckled under adversity itself, the real problem is not the adversity, the problem is that they are not rooted in the word of God. Peter found this to be true when he denied Jesus following Jesus from afar off. Adversity, rather than destroying us, grows our spiritual muscles causing our roots to grow deeper in God. James had this in mind when he wrote that we should count it all joy when we trouble comes our way.
The problem is not the problem that is at hand, the problem is in how deep our root is in God, and the place that God occupies in our life. Adversity deepens our root in God if He is occupying the central place in our life. When adversity overcomes a believer, it is evidence that his roots are not deep in God. Those who only come to God for what they can get from Him do not have their roots deep in God, such are fair weather believers who are easily offended in the face of adversity.
"And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended." Mark 4:17. Again, it's important that we reiterate that the problem is not the affliction that arises against us, the problem is that we have no root in ourselves, therefore, when the problem comes, it assumes a size that is out of proportion. The sun only dries plants whose roots are far from water.
Toni
