Focal passage: Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23
Any good employee has a solid understanding of their job description. Knowing what distinct objectives belong to whom creates order and proper expectations for the outcome of the work. If it’s the receptionist’s job to answer the phone, no one expects them to do the roofing work on top of the building.
While we are not God’s employees, our role differs from His as we partner with Him in Kingdom work. Understanding what’s up to us and what’s up to God can help us rest in Him as we seek to see His Kingdom advance on earth.
As God gives us the opportunity, we should share His message wherever we are. There is no wrong place to share the gospel. Just as the sower spreads the seed on all types of soil, we should take advantage of the ground that God gives us. Although we may not know the condition of the hearer’s heart, we can be obedient and faithful wherever God has placed us.
Not all crops grow as expected, and not everyone is transformed by the gospel. Our job is not to make someone accept the message about Jesus. We are called to share the truth and leave the results up to God. Whether our message is rejected or accepted is not our primary aim. While we want to see people place their faith in Christ, this will not happen every time we share. However, we can trust God with the results of our obedience to preach the gospel.
As any believer can attest, those who accept the message and follow Christ experience abundance. Faith in Jesus yields the fruit of goodness, obedience, holiness and joy in our lives that can only come from God. We rejoice with heaven when someone trusts in Christ for salvation. We can then see that God is at work and is still bringing people from death to life!