Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: September 10, 2006
AN OPEN EXHORTATION TO WAYWARD MEMBERS
OF THE CHURCH
Ben Justice
The parable of the sower (or the soils) represents 4 different kinds of hearts.
The way side soil represents a hard heart — “Those by the way side are they that
hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they
should believe and be saved” (Luke 8:12). The rocky soil represents a heart that is
not conducive to growth. The seed, which is the word of God (Luke 8:11),
penetrates, but because there is no root, it dies — “They on the rock are they,
which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a
while believe, and in time of temptation fall away” (Luke 8:13). The thorny soil
represents a heart that is more concerned with the cares and pleasures of this
life than with faithfulness — “And that which fell among thorns are they, which,
when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures
of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection” (Luke 8:14). Then, the good soil
represents those who have an honest and good heart — “But that on the good
ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it,
and bring forth fruit unto perfection” (Luke 8:15).
In the parable of the soils, only one kind of soil is the right kind. It is soil that
is not hard, nor rocky, nor thorny. Instead, it has all of the qualities for growth.
It is in connection with the rocky soil and the thorny soil that we wish to focus
our attention. They obviously represent apostasy. Those who have a rocky
heart, “receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while
believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” Hence, there is such thing as
apostasy. Those who have a thorny heart “have heard, go forth, and are choked
with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
Again, we see apostasy.
It is truly unfortunate when Christians fall prey to temptation, or they allow the
ways of the world to choke out their spiritual lives. Faithful members of the Lord’
s church should always be on the lookout for those who are giving in to the
devil. We should always be diligent in seeking to restore these back to the fold
of God’s fellowship. Paul penned to the Galatians, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken
in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness;
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). James wrote, “Brethren, if
any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which
converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall
hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
When fellowship with God is severed, all spiritual blessings have been forfeited.
Ultimately, this means being lost in hell for all eternity. As Peter declared, “For
if after they have escaped the pollution's of the world through the knowledge of the
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the
latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2 Pet. 2:20). This is a picture of
apostasy and the ultimate end of those who have left the Lord. Escaping the
pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ has reference to becoming a Christian. Being again entangled therein and
overcome refers to being entangled in the pollutions of the world again. Here is
a picture of going back into the mire and degradation of the world that he left.
That this picture is so terrible, Peter illustrated it like that of a dog returning to
eat his own vomit or a sow that was washed returning back to the mud hole.
Peter said, “the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.” The
Scriptures teach degrees of punishment and this passage proves it. Those who
suffer the most in hell for all eternity are those who turned their backs on God.
As Peter stated in v. 21, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way
of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment
delivered unto them.”
Surely, no one wants to be lost in hell. Yet, we must kindly and lovingly tell
those who have left the Lord that this is their ultimate fate (cf. Matt. 25:46).
During our last men’s meeting, the men discussed several who have fallen away
from the Lord. It was decided, and rightfully so, that attention will be given to
those who have apostatized. Some have already been visited. We hope the
encouragement and admonishment will cause them to understand that we love
them and want them to return to the Lord and remain faithful. We are our
brother’s keeper. We don’t anyone to be lost. Thus, all we share in the
responsibility of reaching out to wayward members of the church.
Maybe you have fallen away from the Lord and his church. If you are reading
this, please realize what the consequences are in continuing in that condition.
This is an open exhortation to you to come back to the Lord. There is absolutely
no shame in admitting sin. There is no shame in confessing sin publicly. In
fact, such is demanded of God (Acts 8:21-24; I John 1:9; James 5:16). We plead
with you because we love you and do not want any to be lost. What can we do to
help you? Do not continue to allow the devil to have his way with you. Come
out from his clutches. We are here to help in any way that is right and godly.
We hope to see you at the next appointed hour of worship.