Are you too busy for God?

Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the CARES OF THIS WORLD and the DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES CHOKE THE WORD, and he becomes UNFRUITFUL.
Matthew 13:22 NKJV

In the Parable of the Sower, there are 3 catagories of ground, those that fall on, 1) Stony Ground, 2) Among Thorns and 3) Good Soil.

Well, when we read through Matthew 13, it is quite clear that those who fall on stony ground are those who give up on the faith, and those that fall on good soil are those who keep the faith and continue walking in it.

How about the seed that falls among Thorns? Have they fell away? Or are they still attending church? Let's see.

Firstly, the Parable of the Sower is about the word, in particularly, the Gospel (Matt 13:18). We can also acertain that by looking at the rest of the Parables in Matthew 13, where the [Kingdom of Heaven] is being explained. The ground in which the seed fell into, is the Heart of men.

Secondly, the Fruits mentioned in that Parable, refers to fruits of Righteousness and good works. That is consistent with the Fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:16-26) and works of righteousness (James 2). Jesus also taught about hearing and doing the word in Matt 7:24-29).

Fruits has nothing to do with wealth and health.

Hence we can safely conclude that the condition of the heart that recieves the Word of God determines how the believer walks out his faith. 1 John 2:2-6 says that those who know him will walk in his commandments. In John 14:15 Jesus says if you love Him, keep his commandments. Hence we can see that one who truly recieves and understands the Word of God, will produce good works, and those who don't will not

So how about the seeds that fell among thorns? Based on the Parable, these did not give up on their faith. Unlike the the ones that fell on stony ground that withered, these remained fruitless. Which means the seed that fell among thorns grew, but are fruitless.

John gave a more specific account on believers that does not produce fruit.

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:6‭-‬8 NKJV

In John's account of the gospel, Jesus refered to Him as the vine, and they (Israel) are the branches. This can be referenced to Isaiah 5 where God talks about his dissappointed Vineyard (Israel). While the specific context is for Israel, the principal is the same as us Gentile believers. God will not spare fruitless believers. The author of Hebrews made the same point :

For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
Hebrews 6:7‭-‬8 NKJV

The seed that fell among Thorns remained fruitless because of the Cares of the World and Decietfulness of Riches. Some are too busy making money and climbing the corperation. Some are too busy worried about their lives. Some are too busy dealing with relationships. In fact, one can play guitar skillfully for worship without a heart to minister. One can serve as an usher without the love for people. One can attend church regularly without any transformation to their values in life.

Is your heart among Thorns or in good soil? Perhaps its good to take some time to think about this today? Or are you just too busy for God? :)

Is James teaching against obedience?

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point,  he is guilty of all.
James 2:10 NKJV

Is James trying to say, "if you violate one Law, you violate it all, so don't even try to fulfill the Law, you have Jesus!!!"

No... James is talking about Partiality against the poor in favour of the rich. It is based on this pretext that led him to talk about "Faith without works is dead". Here are some of the highlights.

The brethrens showing partiality.

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the  Lord of glory, with PARTIALITY. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
James 2:1‭-‬4 NKJV

James rebuke for siding with the rich.

Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to  be  rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
James 2:5‭-‬7 NKJV

Judgement for showing Partiality, lack of Mercy.

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point,  he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:8‭-‬13 NKJV

No point praying for the poor when there is no action done.

What does  it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does  it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14‭-‬17 NKJV

Examples of Justification (of Faith)  by works.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:18‭-‬26 NKJV

Link this to Chapter 1.

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in  it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
James 1:21‭-‬27 NKJV

信耶稣得水牛

This is an analogy for a Christmas message I heard from Pastor Jason Lim from Gospel Light Christian Church on Christmas 2016. Just to paraphrase:

There is a church in a small village in China with a relatively small population of Christians. One particular Sunday, they noticed that their attendance exponentially rose. So the Pastor decided to investigate and surveyed the new found believers. When he asked them what had attracted them to come to this church, they told him, "Well, it was promised to us that if we believe in Jesus, we will get a water buffalo (水牛)。".

Perplexed by this, he continued to probe deeper who has given them such a ridiculous promise. The new believers pointed him to a banner that hangs outside of the church door, and it reads, "信耶稣得水牛".

After examining the banner, now he know what is the root of the problem. The words on the banner are actually stuck to the canvas using coloured cardboard paper. During a torrential rain, some of the Strokes of the Chinese Characters fell off. The banner actually reads, "信耶稣得永生". 2 strokes fell off from the Characters "永生" (Eternal Life) and became "水牛" (Water Buffalo).

The new believers based their faith on a promise that if they believe in Jesus, they will get a water buffalo. The water buffalo represents our felt needs, material wants and personal ambitions. Many churches are actually (without realizing), teaching 信耶稣得水牛， instead of 信耶稣得永生。

Is the sinner's Prayer a Passport to heaven?

The problem is, we have been taught that we get a passport to heaven the moment we say the Sinner's Prayer, and then we talk about life transformation or sanctification later. However, Justification by faith is meant for those who wants to follow God but unable to do so perfectly.

So in the first place, a Christian is a sinner who wants to follow God but is unable to do so and therefore needs a saviour... NOT a sinner who merely wants to escape hell and go to heaven.

The Sinner's prayer is an acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is not an assurance of Salvation. Salvation is evidenced by true repentance from our former lives, and obedience to our new lives as believers.

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 7 Brethren,[a] I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.[b]8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. - 1 John 2:3-11

4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. - 1 John 3:4-9

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our[a] faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? - 1 John 5:1-5

2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:[a] 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. - Rom 2:2-11

We don't need to keep reminding people how to live for God. We need to remind people what Salvation means in the first place....

What does the root of bitterness really means?

What is the root of bitterness from bible perspective?

looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any ROOT OF BITTERNESS springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Hebrews 12:15 NKJV

so that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a ROOT BEARING BITTERNESS OR WORMWOOD; and so it may not happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I SHALL HAVE PEACE, EVEN THOUGH I FOLLOW THE DICTATES OF MY HEART’— as though the drunkard could be included with the sober.
Deuteronomy 29:18-19 NKJV

The root of bitterness has nothing to do with feeling angry or bitter about someone or your own life. It is about hearts turning away from God. It is about thinking you are ok, but you are really not. Like the Church of Laodicea, who thinks they are well, but are actually naked and wretched.

Hebrews is about keeping the faith, by running the race.

Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
Hebrews 12:12-13 NKJV

Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”
Isaiah 35:3-4 NKJV

Physical Breakthrough or Spiritual Breakthrough?

Believing in God for a breakthrough?

We are often taught to believe in God for financial breakthrough or physical healing. Our requests can range from deliverance from dire life and death situations, to upgrading our condominium to a landed property.

While we are encouraged to pray for one another (James 5:13-18), do we expect a 100% yes from a God who can heal and able to provide all our wants? Is that what the bible calls, Faith? James 1:6-8 describes a man who doubts is like a wave tossed by the wind, unstable in all his ways. Is the biblical concept of Faith meant for us to believe in God for the things we want? To satisfy our personal agendas?

It is of human tenancy to crave for security and comfort. And when our basic needs are met, we are often bombarded by desire to want more in luxury and earthly pleasures. And some unfortunate ones spend it on carnal sinful lifestyles. We want breakthroughs. financial breakthroughs, medical breakthroughs, relationship breakthroughs;

Whatever that is bothering us, we want OUT. And whatever that we desire, we want IN.

So what if the very breakthrough that we are believing in God for, is taking forever to come? And how long should we wait before we decide that God is saying no? Or how much persistence do we need to pray to be like the Persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8?

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Guilty for a doubt?

[ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:6-8 NKJV ]

Reading from this passage, James seemed to be talking about a man who has insufficient faith to believe in "a God who gives us all things". This makes the one who gives up praying for his needs look like a quitter. As if his financial breakthrough or healing miracle is dependent on one's level of Faith. After all, "Faith is the currency of heaven" right? But let's examine what James really meant when he mentioned, "Faith".

[ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:2-5 NKJV ]

The preceding verses 2-5 tells us that James is not talking about God answering our prayer requests. He is talking about going through trials and tribulations, citing that it is the testing of our faith that produces perseverance. And perseverance must finish its work so that we can be perfect and complete, not lacking anything.

So what is that thing which is lacking that we ought to ask from God? Verse 5 tells us, it is WISDOM. Is that referring to scholarly wisdom? Or some kind of profound philosophy? Well, it definitely relates to verses 2-4 doesn't it? Yes, the keyword is Trials and Tribulations. Wisdom to go through trials, wisdom to know that God is sovereign, wisdom to know that even when calamity happens, even when one fall sick to cancer, loses a limb or loses a loved one... he can still say... God is good.

So who is the man described in verse 6, who is like a wave of the sea, tossed by the wind? In context to TRIALS, PERSEVERANCE and WISDOM from verse 2 to 5, he is the direct opposite from the one who asks for wisdom. He is the one who questions God when he faces trouble. He will doubt the will of God, or even questions his existence when bad things happens. He is the seed that has fallen among thorns (Matt 13:22), where trials and worries for this life causes him to lose his faith. That is because his priorities are not aligned to the things of God. He is the false believer described in Rom 8:4-8; he keeps his mind on the things of the flesh (earthly, carnal) instead of things of the spirit (heavenly, righteous). he is one who asks amiss :

[ You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet[a] you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
James 4:2-3 NKJV ]

Faith is not about believing God for Breakthrough and Miracles. Faith is about believing God even when times are bad. It's about staying righteous when surrounded by evil. It's about even when we lost everything, we can still say God is good, that Salvation is sufficient.

Parallel between Apostle Paul and Apostle John.

Once saved always saved? Or once saved, always repent?

Apostle John’s words
[ 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10 ]

Is walking in the light = walking perfectly Sinless life? If that is so, the John is contradicting himself when he say, IF you walk in the light... the blood of Jesus cleanses him. Hence John is not talking about living a "Sinless" life, but a repentant one. That's why in 1 John 1:9, he says IF you confess (repent) your sins, he is faithful righteous to forgive us. So if walking in the Light = Sin and repent, then walking in darkness is Sin and don't repent. THAT, is how john arrives at this conclusion :

[ My little children, these things I write to you, so that you MAY NOT SIN. And IF ANYONE SINS, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. - 1 John 2:1 ]

John is referring to those who walk in the light, who Sins and Repent.

Apostle Paul’s words

[ 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. - Romans 7:22-25 ]

This is the same as Paul, who explains how he DELIGHTS IN THE LAW OF GOD, but knows that there is a Law of Sin in him that prevents him from being saved. Therefore he thank God for Jesus Christ, because through Christ atonement for his Sins, he can now SERVE THE LAW OF GOD WITH HIS MIND and not get condemned under the atonement. This is how he arrives at this THEREFORE THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION...

[ There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. - Rom 8:1 ]

And notice, the gift of no condemnation is given to who? Those "who do not walk according to the flesh (earthly, carnal desires), but according to the Spirit (heavenly, righteous desires)"

Both Paul and John, are speaking harmoniously with each other.