²³But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

13:23

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it,

The same grain produces different results. It is the receptivity of the soil that makes the difference. Those who “understand” the Word appropriate it to experience. Misunderstood truth can neither do good nor make a difference in one’s life.

The good soil is the genuine believer who truly embraces the message of the kingdom.

who indeed [in reality] bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Good soil yields various amounts of fruit. Genuine believers produce fruit.

PRINCIPLE:

Keeping eternal values in view produces eternal results.

APPLICATION:

The effect of the Bible rests on the state of the heart. Not everyone will respond to the message of Christ. There is variety in outcome to preaching the gospel. We should operate under no illusion about this. However, in the face of opposition God will give fruit. God honors people responsive to His Word. The responsibility for the communicator of the gospel is to sow the seed of the gospel. It is up to the soil (the receiver) to accept it or reject it.