Dorothy Mae
Member
I’ve always wondered about the seed that fell on stoney ground, those Jesus describes as “having no root in themselves,” what that means exactly. I read a bit by Sturgeon on this but he missed it by a mile referring to a not genuine salvation experienced, which does not at all match what Jesus says. He specifically says “they have no root in THEMSELVES.” Now isn’t this curious?
He didn’t say they have no root in the Word. He didn’t say they have no root in the vine. He didn’t say they have no root in anything or anyone (including God) external. He said they have no root in the self which is WHY they fall away. (Those who don’t believe anyone can fall away best stop reading at this point. Probably the Calvinist as well because this falls out of the assumptions of that theology. Everyone else, let’s continue, both of you.)
As I opened my Bible this morning, my eyes fell on Luke 11. I read about Jesus answering his opponents. And it occurred to me that everytime he was questioned, even as a trap, he gave INTELLECTUALLY SOUND responses. He made them THINK. This was kindness pure. When it fit he quoted scripture verbatim without references, I might add. Pages and pages on Jesus appealing to their reason and almost if not always their minds. He didn’t appeal to feelings. He only now and again appealed to scripture but ALWAYS to get them to think. So I got to pondering this “no root in themselves.”
I looked up the Greek and it says also no root in themselves but adds “but temporary” which doesn’t work well in English syntax, perhaps. I wonder if this is referring to tenacity. The ability to stick to a decision made during peace (well being) that is maintained in trouble.
How is this built? By choices made over the course of a life. It is the wise man who hears the teaching of Jesus and applies them to her/her life. The foolish man hears the teaching but does not apply them and so that kind of character that renders a man able to endure hardship is not built. This, brothers and sister, Jesus will NOT do this painlessly for us whilst we sleep.
If you’re unfamiliar with the teaching of Jesus regarding the wise and foolish man, do a search, find it and read the whole passage. It’s in the Bible, I assure you.
He didn’t say they have no root in the Word. He didn’t say they have no root in the vine. He didn’t say they have no root in anything or anyone (including God) external. He said they have no root in the self which is WHY they fall away. (Those who don’t believe anyone can fall away best stop reading at this point. Probably the Calvinist as well because this falls out of the assumptions of that theology. Everyone else, let’s continue, both of you.)
As I opened my Bible this morning, my eyes fell on Luke 11. I read about Jesus answering his opponents. And it occurred to me that everytime he was questioned, even as a trap, he gave INTELLECTUALLY SOUND responses. He made them THINK. This was kindness pure. When it fit he quoted scripture verbatim without references, I might add. Pages and pages on Jesus appealing to their reason and almost if not always their minds. He didn’t appeal to feelings. He only now and again appealed to scripture but ALWAYS to get them to think. So I got to pondering this “no root in themselves.”
I looked up the Greek and it says also no root in themselves but adds “but temporary” which doesn’t work well in English syntax, perhaps. I wonder if this is referring to tenacity. The ability to stick to a decision made during peace (well being) that is maintained in trouble.
How is this built? By choices made over the course of a life. It is the wise man who hears the teaching of Jesus and applies them to her/her life. The foolish man hears the teaching but does not apply them and so that kind of character that renders a man able to endure hardship is not built. This, brothers and sister, Jesus will NOT do this painlessly for us whilst we sleep.
If you’re unfamiliar with the teaching of Jesus regarding the wise and foolish man, do a search, find it and read the whole passage. It’s in the Bible, I assure you.