How Fertile is Your Land?

Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. – Hebrews 6:7-8

I’m not a farmer. I come from a military family. Yet, even I know that the land requires water and nutrients or it will dry up and become useless. It is the same way with believers.

We are the land. When we drink in the rain (God’s word) and nutrients (provided by the Holy Spirit), we become immersed. We begin to produce crops. Everywhere we go, people know who we are by what we do, what we say.

But when we profess our belief in God with only our mouths, without any deeds, we dry up. We become like the soil that fosters thorns and thistles. What does a farmer do with land like that? He burns it.

“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Luke 8:5-8

In direct correlation with the verses from Hebrews, is the parable of the sower. As we mature as Christians, it becomes our responsibility to help grow new believers. They look to us for examples of what it means to be Christians, children of God. If our land is dry or rocky, what will they have to latch onto?

Satan will swoop down upon them before they have a chance. Two birds with one stone—the Christian and the believer rendered useless.

How do we keep our land fertile and our crops fruitful?

Study God’s word. Pray. Listen for the movement of the Holy Spirit inside of you. Make sure your deeds reflect your beliefs (or show vs. tell for you writers out there). Find a community of believers to help teach and encourage you, for the road is long and the battle against the world is tough, but when you remain in the Lord, He will be your strength.

How fertile is your land?