Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.
— Luke 8:13 —
Hector Gerardo Romo García: Word of Grace Biblical Seminary | Mexico
In 1988, my church organized a Christmas concert, so I invited an unbelieving friend. When the singing ended, the pastor preached about Jesus’ birth and invited the attendees to surrender their lives to the Messiah. With great surprise, I saw this friend gladly raising his hand! As he later said, the music and the lyrics had so excited him that he responded to the pastor’s invitation. Ask yourself this question: When fierce temptation comes, do I still seek to obey and cling to Christ? Today, however, more than 29 years later, this friend regrettably lives far from Christ, saying he will not obey His word. In this passage, we see the futility of superficially receiving God’s word with emotion rather than with conviction, without faith and repentance—excitement to get the gospel’s blessings without considering the cost. An emotional experience with the gospel is not a guarantee of salvation; it fails in the face of trials. Only faith that continues and grows to bear fruit is evidence of genuine conversion. Sadly, in my friend’s case, God’s word was received with joy but no root. Emotion is not conviction, and a joyful reaction to the gospel is not necessarily saving faith. Only abiding in Christ and obeying God’s word evidences the fruit of a heart transformed by the Creator’s grace. Ask yourself this question: When fierce temptation comes, do I still seek to obey and cling to Christ? Do not be satisfied with mere emotional responses. Seek from God a heart that produces good works and perseveres in times of trouble. Seek from God a faith that lasts.
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