tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385083746048472996.post8365889257906902520..comments2024-03-22T17:35:43.879-04:00Comments on Growing Christian Resources: The main point of Jesus' parable of the tares in Matthew 13mahlonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16398857921080520475noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385083746048472996.post-10170139802433348432014-06-13T08:30:24.500-04:002014-06-13T08:30:24.500-04:00To Abby:
Thank you very much for your insightful ...To Abby:<br /><br />Thank you very much for your insightful comments. I too subscribe more to a Single Predestinarian viewpoint. One Baptist preacher I heard preaching years ago espoused a view point that I would classify as a form of Single Pre. <br /><br />Most likely when you look at the SBC Baptist faith & Message 2000, you could classify it as somewhat Single-Pre in its orientation, being that it says nothing about the so-called corollary of reprobation. <br /><br />Your grasp of gaining a burden for the lost and those pretenders of the faith is exactly one of the intended outcomes that Jesus had in the telling of this parable. When we deal with Kingdom matters, we ought to be developing the same heart as the King Himself. <br /><br />And yes, the problem of evil is no doubt inferred from the parable. I plan on dealing with that particular point in a future post.<br /><br />Blessings! mahlonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16398857921080520475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385083746048472996.post-69938013071324650582014-06-12T16:30:40.492-04:002014-06-12T16:30:40.492-04:00Very good post. Very encouraging as well as disco...Very good post. Very encouraging as well as discouraging. The discouraging part is always the Enemy's work. (Job 1:6-12) It makes me wonder what our task is in all of this. Especially when the seed falls on soil or rocks where it cannot mature and grow. Are we to accept the resistance and rejection of the Word? Or what do we do next? As much sorrow as this causes us, imagine the sorrow our Lord experiences. We of course, do not combat the Enemy in our own power.<br /><br />"the process and details of each type of soil in between sowing and harvest is the focus" <br /><br />I'm always reminded of farmers when I read these parables. I see Pastors as "farmers" (as well as other descriptions such as under-shepherds) in the work that they do in the church. My uncle was a farmer and I remember the work he did at various times of the year regarding the care of his soil. He plowed it after crops were done to make way for new ones to be planted. He fertilized, watered (unless in certain areas he depended on the rain), cleared away rocks or trees. As the crops were growing he used pesticides if needed to protect his crop from destruction. He worked really hard to successfully produce his various grains, fruits, and vegetables. At times, all his efforts seemed for naught because some obstacle or other caused the crop to be non-productive or die.<br /><br />I (as a Lutheran) don't believe in double pre-destination. But I question that sometimes when I look at so many people around me. All the talking in the world seemingly can't change their mind or get through. So, I wait and pray and love them. I befriend them as best I can to keep the door open. With regard to both of my sisters who have died before me, neither one would have a close relationship with me during most of their lives. Both of them came to me near the end of their lives to hear from me what they knew I could tell them about Christ and His love and forgiveness for them. This surprised me very much. And only God knows the results. But I have reason for great hope for them.<br /><br />"With no doubt the problem of evil is present in this parable. Jesus' main point is to assert the fact that in the end, His will concerning the wheat, the sons of the Kingdom, will prevail despite the efforts of the evil enemy sower."<br /><br />This is the very encouraging part.<br /><br />Bless you, Pastor.<br />Abby<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com