In Luke 8:4-15 Jesus tells the parable (story) of the ‘Four Soils’. Essentially a farmer scatters seed, but only the seed that fell on the good soil ended up growing to maturity and producing a harvest.

The danger of reading this passage is that most of us automatically assume that we are good soil.

In Australian Christian culture we have become accustomed to the idea that there are different levels of Christianity.  Some of us believe in God but have no relationship with him. Some of us accept that Jesus died for our sins and have asked for forgiveness, but refuse to turn away from our sinful nature and make Jesus the Lord of our lives. Some of us desire to love Jesus and serve him as our king, but not yet… First we need to make ourselves financially secure, finish that job or have wait until life ‘settles down a bit’.

Can I suggest that there are in fact no levels of Christianity.

When I read Luke 8. I read that there is only one soil that makes the cut. They are those good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest for the Kingdom of God

Mick Spann, Youth Pastor