Summer Fruit Devotion: Goodness Day 1

Good Soil

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:11-15

Good soil. Soil ready for the seed. A heart ready for the Gospel. The goodness of God goes in and then bears the fruit of goodness in a life that would otherwise be barren. There is a saying that Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good but he came to make dead people alive. While that is true, I think it sells the Gospel short. Isn’t it a miracle when evil people receive Christ and become good? Consider Paul the Apostle, whose heart was so hard for so long, but God saved him and changed him radically. He went from murdering Christians to preaching the Gospel and even being imprisoned for it. Do you ever think, “I’ve sinned so bad, how could God ever forgive me?” Hear God’s word today, He loves you, He sent Christ to die for you. The goodness in your heart is Christ at work in you. And that’s a good thing.

Journal time. Think back to when God saved you. When did you first hear the Gospel? Did it take a while for your soil to be “good?” How has God been working goodness in your life since then?

Pray with me today. Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for the seed of your Gospel sown in our hearts by your love. Thank you that Christ lived the perfectly good life you required and that you see his goodness in us. Please grow your fruit of goodness in our lives so we can share your love and forgiveness with the world. We don’t want to be stolen by the enemy or run away when tested or choked out by the cares and pleasures and riches of life. Help us hold your word fast in honest and good hearts and bear fruit with patience. In the good name of Jesus we pray, Amen.