Troublesome Thistles Or Fresh Fruit
The paramount test of a Christian's life is fruit-bearing. The Lord of harvest expects and demands fruitful branches (John 15:1-7). The seed (Luke 8:11) planted in our hearts is designed to spring up in fresh fruitful harvests.
If we forget our purpose as God's plants and bear the thorns and thistles of malice, hate, envy, division, covetousness, and such like; then we are "rejected and nigh unto a curse." Heed the warning to the Hebrews: "For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned." (Heb. 6:7, 8)
Briers are a curse when literally produced by the earth. How much more horrible are they when produced by supposed followers of the Lord. The devil sows his terrible tares alongside the sweet seed of the kingdom. Beware. May the Lord help us heed the warning of Hebrews 6:4-12. Read it. Meditate on it. Believe it. Apply it.
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