When the Rubber Hits the Road

Actions speak louder than words. This familiar phrase places emphasis on our behaviour, how it is carried out and if we are indeed true to the promises we take on. The Christian walk is a similar scenario where sometimes we may find ourselves in situations where the ways of the world may burn out our initial spark we had that resonated with Christ, which inhibits our transformation to living a life in Him rather than ourselves. Becoming a Christian is more than assenting to Spiritual truths but also experiencing real change in behavior or thought.

The Bible, more specifically, Jesus, in Matthew 13:5 says,

“A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

What is Jesus saying here? The seeds represent the message of the Gospel and how life may show us barriers which harden our hearts that inhibit our walk with Him. Jesus, further clarifies this in the following,

“The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorn represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth,” (Matthew 13: 19-22).

Thus, there is a duty to maintain and nurture the “new life” that Christ has given us once we receive Him. The book of James describes this by saying, “Faith without works is dead,” (James 2: 14-26), meaning it is not until the rubber meets the road where good change is possible; for ourselves, and for others. It is important to realize the obstacles that are much like a weed in a garden choking and inhibiting our growth with Christ. Additionally, having deep roots in Christ creates a malleability that acts in accordance to His word and truth. With this in mind, transformation into a new identity can be reached with the right attitude and perseverance to seek Him out in all situations no matter the weather.

And so, we leave you with this word,

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them," ( Ephesians 4:22-24).