Faith

[brightfame52]

Is Faith a Work ?

Yes, by all means Faith/Believing is a Work, however its one that can be done only by the regenerated, or born again person.

The definition of a work according to the greek word ergon which is commonly used, for instance in Eph 2:9

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The word means:

1. business, employment, that which any one is occupied
2. 1. that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking
3. any product whatever, any thing accomplished/done by hand, art, industry, or mind
4. 
   
5. an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasised in opp. to that which is less than work
   
   And God given Faith is an act of the mind giving acknowledgement to the revealed Divine Testimony !
   
   Faith is a Work of the New Creation in Christ Jesus Eph 2:9-10
   
   10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 23

 

[brightfame52]

Believing on Christ is a Mystery of Godliness !

1 Tim 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

This being believed on in the world refers to Christ. Yes, to believe on Christ is an act of Godliness, Titus 1:1

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

Now its a mystery, that is Faith in Christ, or believing on Him, because its not something man by nature can do. Thats why Jesus says in Jn 6:44,65

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

Man can't believe on Christ until he is born again by the Spirit, in which at that time he is given the fruit/gift of Faith Gal 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

It, Faith in Christ is resultive of the Holy Spirits work of Sanctification 2 Thess 2:13

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Thats why Jesus says it, believing on Him, is the Work of God Jn 6:29, God the Holy Spirit. It must be given to believe on Christ Phil 1:29

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 23

 

[brightfame52]

Again Faith that pleases and obeys God Heb 11, it's not from the natural mind or person, but it's the Faith of the Son of God Gal 2:20 , communicated to them in New Birth of Spiritual life because He's their Head and Saviour.

Paul writes that it, being Faith, is not of ourselves, but it's the gift of God. See its not a natural ability, that's why man can't boast about it.

 

[brightfame52]

One must be saved before they can believe the Gospel of their Salvation !

Eph 1:13

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

One had to be saved in the first place to spiritually hear the word of truth, then faith or believing follows.

In fact, Paul places being saved before calling by the Gospel in the purpose of God here 2 Tim 1:9

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Notice the order, hath first saved us, then called us [by the Gospel] with an holy calling. We are called by the Gospel after we are saved 2 Thess 2:13-14

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:


14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[brightfame52]

One must be saved before they can believe the Gospel of their Salvation !2

Again, 2 Tim 1:9 proves that in the Divine Order of things, One is saved before they are called by the Holy Gospel of their Salvation

9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

By being saved is meant by the blood of Christ we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins Eph 1:7

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; This constitutes deliverance from Gods Wrath for our sins.

See, those whom Christ did not die for, His , Gods Wrath is upon them for their sins, as these which Paul writes concerning the children of disobedience Eph 5:6

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Now what things is he referring to ? These Eph 5:3-5

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

But those Christ died for and redeemed, have through /because of His blood, forgiveness of those things and deliverance from wrath for them.

So we that Christ died for are by His death alone saved from the penalty of our sins prior to being called by the Gospel ! 24

 

[brightfame52]

Who is it that believes on Christ ?


The scripture tells us who it is that believes on or receives Christ.

Its them which are born of God ! Jn 1:12-13

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:


13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The them which believed on His Name, had been born of God.

It cant be more plainer than that ! 24

 

[brightfame52]

Faith to believe on Christ must come from the Fathers Revelation of Him !

Matt 11:25-27

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

This is saying that no man by nature knows who really the Son is, it must be from a revelation of the Father. Peter once said this Matt 16:13-16

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus said to Peter vs 17

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Jesus is saying, that this knowledge of knowing who He is as the Christ, the Son of God, was something Peter could not have known naturally or by flesh and blood !

 

[brightfame52]

Faith to believe on Christ must come from the Fathers Revelation of Him 2


Please pay special attention to Jesus words, they are very very important Matt 11:27

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father;neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

That word knoweth is very important, its the word epiginōskō which means:

1. 
   to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly
   1. 
      to know accurately, know well
   to know
   1. 
      to recognise
      1. 
         by sight, hearing, of certain signs, to perceive who a person is
      to know i.e. to perceive
      
      to know i.e. to find out, ascertain
      
      to know i.e. to understand

This is important because a person cannot call upon the Name of Jesus if they dont know Him, know His Name . How can we call upon the Name of the Lord if we dont know who it is. Paul writes Rom 10:13-14


13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call[upon His Name] on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Now, to Call upon the Name of the Lord, one has to have believed, and heard of Him. In order to believe in Christ, there must have been a revealing of Him to us by the Father, otherwise we have no knowledge of who Christ is by nature. Thats why it is written Jn 6:44-45


44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day

45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

And this being learned of the Father, the Father revealing Him to us is part of that process Matt 11:27

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.



So a carnal natural man, born only of the flesh, could never believe in Christ, because flesh and blood cannot reveal Him to us, it must be done by the Father, via the Holy Spirit. 24

 

[brightfame52]

Faith accompanies Salvation, which is Christ !


The Pre Cross Saint once said Lk 2:30

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation ! Hes speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ, for its He that is Gods Salvation to His People, Hes the Gift of God Jn 4:10

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

John Gill writes on Jn 4:10:

if thou knewest the gift of God; meaning, not the Holy Spirit with his gifts and graces, as some think, but himself; for the following clause is explanatory of it;
and who it is that saith to thee, give me to drink; and Christ is also spoken of in the Old Testament, as the gift of God, Isaiah 9:6 and he had lately spoken of himself as such, John 3:16 and he is, by way of eminency, "the gift of God"; which is comprehensive of all others, is exceeding large, and very suitable to the wants and cases of men; and is irrevocable, unchangeable, and unspeakable: for he is God's gift, as he is his own and only begotten Son; and he is given for a covenant to the people, with all the promises and blessings of it; and as an head, both of eminence and influence; and to be a Saviour of them, and a sacrifice for their sins; and as the bread of life, for them to feed and live upon; of which gift, men are naturally ignorant, as this woman was: they know not the dignity of his person; nor the nature and usefulness of his offices; nor the way of peace, righteousness, and salvation by him; nor do they see any amiableness, or loveliness in him; and whatever notional knowledge some natural men may have of him, they know him not spiritually and experimentally, or as the gift of God to them:

Now Christ being the Gift of God unto a World of People He would save from their sins, with Him, God freely gives or bestows all things necessary to save them and cause them to live unto Him that Loved them !

Rom 8:32

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he notwith him also freely give us all things?

Now with the giving of Christ here WITH HIM, God surely gives us all things together !

The word with here is the greek word sun and means:

sýn (a primitive preposition, having no known etymology) – properly, identified with, joined close-together in tight identification; with (= closely identified together).

accompanied (1), accompanied* (1), accompany* (2), along (10), associates (2), besides* (1), companions* (2), including (1), together (1).


The sacred writer in Heb makes it clear that things accompany Salvation [which is Christ] Heb 6:9

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

This verse in the original has the definite article before the word for things :

πεπείσμεθα δὲ περὶ ὑμῶν ἀγαπητοί τὰ κρείσσονα καὶ ἐχόμενα σωτηρίας εἰ καὶ οὕτως λαλοῦμεν

Definite things accompany Salvation, or the giving of Christ. The word accompany echo means:

to hold oneself to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere or cling to; to be closely joined to a person or thing


I believe this verse confirms Rom 8:32 that God gives all things along with the giving of Christ, Our Salvation. I believe also that these all things that are given along with Christ, are those things that effect unto us a life of Godliness 2 Pet 1:3

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

That word godliness eusebeia means:

piety (towards God), godliness, devotion, godliness. properly, someone's inner response to the things of God which shows itself in godly piety (reverence).


So " someone's inner response to the things of God which shows itself in godly piety (reverence)." is freely given, with Christ to those He was delivered up for !


And one of such things that promotes godly piety towards God is Faith, Faith accompany's Salvation, Faith that Pleases God Heb 11:6 !

 

[brightfame52]

Faith accompanies Salvation, which is Christ !2

Faith cannot be the condition of Salvation, when it accompanies Salvation. When Christ was given, so also all things pertaining to life and godliness was given with Him also. Peter writes 2 Pet 1:1

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

Now Faith here is not natural, or inherent, but its obtained "through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:"

The word obtained here is the greek word lagchanó and means:

(a) I obtain (receive) by lot, my lot (turn) is, (b) I draw lots.

)); to receive by divine allotment, obtain:

Its meted out to every man Christ died for. Paul wrote to the believing romans Rom 12:3

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

The word dealt here actually agrees with Peters word obtain, it means:

(literally) to apportion, bestow, share, to impart


Also the word measure gives that same connotation, it means

1. determined extent, portion measured off, measure or limit
   1. the required measure, the due, fit, measure
      
      Each Person for whom Christ died, and is a Saviour unto, is alloted a portion of Faith. Thats why again Peter writes that they obtained Faith "through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"
      
      Faith is obtained through Our Saviour Jesus Christ ! Listen, if we never are given Faith to believe, that means Christ wasnt our Saviour ! Both Faith and Repentance comes through Christ being a Saviour Acts 5:31
      
      
      Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
      
      That word give means to:
      
      of one's own accord to give one something, to his advantage; to bestow, give as a gift:
      
      The word also means to produce, to give production. As Saviour He gives as to produce faith and repentance.
      
      The false religionist of our day insist that faith and or repentance are natural abilities of the natural man, which is a lie ! They both accompany Salvation, which is Christ ! 24

 

[brightfame52]

Faith is Promised !

One verse of scripture that is often times overlooked or not understood, its the promise that the just SHALL live by Faith. Rom 1:15-17

So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.


16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.


17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.


The shall here is a promise made unto the Just, what they shall do !

The words shall live by Faith in the greek are a future indactive. Now the indicative means:

The indicative mood is a simple statement of fact. If an action really occurs or has occurred or will occur, it will be rendered in the indicative mood.

Paul is saying under inspiration, that an action will occur in the future for the Just, it being they shall live by Faith.

Now who are the Just ? Notice that this promise is in the context of preaching the Gospel Rom 1:15-17, and the Gospel is sent to them Christ Christ died for, and eveyone Christ died for was made just or righteous Rom 5:19

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

The word righteous here and just in Rom 1:17 are the same greek word which is dikaios and means:

righteous (41x), just (33x), right (5x), meet (2x).

So the promise is those many Christ by His obedience made just, shall live by Faith, thats a promise. Thats why Jesus could say of the unbelieving jews, you believe not BECAUSE ye are not of my Sheep Jn 10:26, which He obviously died for Jn 10:15 ! A Life of living by Faith is ensured for all whom Christ died !

 

[brightfame52]

Another scripture that promises that some will live by Faith is here Hosea 2:18-20

And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.


19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.


20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.


God again is promising to His People what He will do according to His own will. The promise here is that He will bring them to Faith and they will know Him. This is an Covenant Promise Vs 18, and its joined to the New Covenant Heb 8:10-11


For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:


11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

This is the knowing of Faith, what is promised in Hos 2:20, based upon the Covenant Vs 18. Also the word faithfulness in Hosea 2:20 is the very same word in Hab 2:4

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Which of course is quted by Paul in the Rom 1:17 verse:

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.


So its not even possible for one for whom Christ died, not to live by Faith, that would prove Gods word of promise false !

 

[Lamb]

So its not even possible for one for whom Christ died, not to live by Faith, that would prove Gods word of promise false !

Because it's the job of the Holy Spirit to guide us through faith, producing fruits and good works.

 

[brightfame52]

Because it's the job of the Holy Spirit to guide us through faith, producing fruits and good works.

The Holy Spirit works in conjunction with Christ to give life and Faith in Christ to them Christ died for.

 

[brightfame52]

Faith is the Gift of God so dont boast !

False religion teaches that the natural man has Faith in God, the True God, or has the ability to have Faith in the True God, the Gospel and or the things of God as an natural ability. To them its just a matter of naturally exercising this ability that will make a difference in the soul being saved or lost. Now sad to say this type of thinking is pride, self righteousness, and boasting, because when its all said and done, they can tell their lost neighbor , hey you should have done like me and put your faith in Christ, for you had the same opportunity i had, which i obviously to advantage of it better than you did.

Now lets look at an scripture passage to this point Rom 11:17-20

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;


Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.


Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.


Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Now Paul here seems to be dealing with a propensity within the believing Gentiles , they which had believed God, in opposition to the jews who had been cut off because of unbelief Vs 20 "Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith."


Paul told the believing gentiles that you standest by Faith [which is obviously the Gift of Gods Grace and Power] so be not highminded but fear !

Fear God and give Him the Glory for thy Faith, or else you are being highminded, Note: Those who think they exercised their freewill to have Faith, and others who remain in unbelief didnt, they are being high-minded !

This word high-minded is a compound word hypsēlophroneō and means:

1. to be high minded, proud, hoop-say-lo-fron-eh'-o; from a compound of G5308 and G5424; to be lofty in mind, i.e. arrogant:—be highminded.
   
   See also 1 Tim 6:17 where the word is used one other time in the NT
   
   The Faith the believing gentiles had and stood by, and the broken off jews did not have, was not owing to their own freewill, but to the Grace and Power of God, for we can only believe through Grace Acts 18:27
   
   
   And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through [on the account of] grace:
   
   Because Grace reigns through Righteousness Rom 5:21
   
   That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through[on account of] righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

[brightfame52]

Faith is the Gift of God so dont boast !2

Finally standing by Faith is by the Power and Ability of God Rom 11:20

Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Now to show that this standing by Faith is by the ability/power of God, Paul writing to the same Church penned these words Rom 14:4

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

The word stand here is the very same word used in Rom 11:20, also its the same word used for holden up. The word is histēmi:

1. to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set
   
   
   
   1. to cause a person or a thing to keep his or its place
      
      to cause one to preserve a right state of mind,
      
      The word able in Rom 14:4 is the word dunateo:
      
      I am powerful, have power, am able, am mighty. to exert overwhelming unstoppable power, So the gentiles have no reason to be highminded, for their standing by Faith is by the ability of God, the power of God, 1 Pet 1:5
      
      Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
      
      The being kept through Faith is by the Power of God ! Cant boast about it !

24

 

[brightfame52]

Its an Inheritance !

Faith is an Inheritance to the Children of God, Christ's Seed. Its one of the blessings due them due to their Union with Christ, an Union beginning before the foundation Eph 1:4 ; 1 Cor 1:30

It is because of God that you are in union with the Messiah Jesus, who for us has become wisdom from God, as well as our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. ISV

And so they obtain Faith in time to manifest their Union and their right to Inheritance with Him. Its through Him as Our God and Saviour 2 Pet 1:1

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:

See Christ died for the Seed of Abraham Heb 2:16 and that Spiritual Seed of Abraham must receive Faith to be identified as his Spiritual Seed !

Faith is an Abrahamic Covenant Inheritance, for God in that Covenant promised Abraham a believing seed ! So his seed and Christ seed obtain it by Inheritance Eph 1:11

11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will

They were predestinated to obtain an Inheritance, which Faith is a part of that ! 25

 

[brightfame52]

Several reasons why some people don't believe on Christ or His Gospel !


One reason why people don't believe on Christ or His Gospel is simply because they are not of His Sheep Jn 10:26

But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

Hence, any reasonable soul should see that this statement by Christ indicates that if a person would have been one of His Sheep, that He died for Jn 10:11,15, they shall believe in Him !

A second reason why people don't believe in Christ is because they weren't ordained to eternal life Acts 13:48

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

The word ordained does mean also predestined to eternal life !

And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified (praised and gave thanks for) the Word of God; and as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior). AMPC

Understand something, believing in Christ is the consequence of having been ordained, appointed to eternal life !

This speaks to election. Notice the phrase " as many as" ordained to eternal life. This again denotes election or a limited amount, for if when this phrase is used "as many as" it means all without exception, then the words would have no meaning ! Like again here Jn 17:2

As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Once again, if "as many as" means all without exception, the words are meaningless, but if restricted, it speaks once again to limited election !

 

[brightfame52]

A third reason why some people dont believe in Christ is because they're already condemned or condemned already Jn 3:18

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

See believing on Christ is not for them who are condemned for their sins, which means Christ was never condemned in their place and stead. Believing on Christ is designed for them He came under Gods Judgment and condemnation and curse for their sins, such ones cant be condemned themselves, and the reason why is because Christ already has, so they are given Faith in Christ, to believe what He has done for them. Paul says it like this Gal 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

If Christ has died for us, and removed our sins, guilt and condemnation before God, we have a right to believe on His name because we aren't condemned, but if He did not die for our sins, we are condemned by them, and have no right to believe on His Name ! Condemned people cannot, will not and have no right to believe on Christ's Name !

 

[brightfame52]

A fourth reason is a unregenerate, unprepared heart !

Those who embrace Christ through the Gospel, the preached word, had been given an prepared new heart. This is seen in Christ parable of the different grounds, observe Matt 13:18-23

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

See man by nature doesnt understand God or the things of God, so Paul wrote Rom 3:11

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Now the word for understandeth is the very same greek word in both Rom 3:11 and Matt 23:13 and it denotes understandeth with their heart as here Matt 13:15

For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Well man cannot by nature understandeth with his heart and doesnt Rom 3:11, therefore without being first given a good heart by newbirth, man cannot believe and understand the Gospel, and at best can only superficially receive it without root as per the stony heart hearer Matt 13:20-21

But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

But notice, Jesus didn't say he received it and understood it as He did with the one receiving the word with a good heart in Vs 23 !

Men are prepared to receive the word, as here stated Lk 1:17

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.


Their hearts would be prepared for the Lord and His word ! 25