PEOPLE ON THE PATH TO GOD'S KINGDOM
by Alan Yusko

I recently read the book: Pilgrims Progress. While Christian made his way to God's Kingdom he met some people on the way. Some people were saved and others were snares to his earthly pilgrimage. Here is a list of some people that True-Christians could meet today in the 1990's on the way to God's Kingdom. As you read this list of people then look around and see if you also are a True-Christian on the way to heaven trusting in the salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

SEVERAL TRAVELLERS ON THIS EARTHLY PILGRIMAGE

Next is a thumbnail sketch about several people and their attitudes toward God. These are people that True-Christian may meet on his way to God's heavenly Kingdom. Some may be saved or backslidden Christians and others are just wolves, deceivers, and lost souls on their way to hell. Each person must choose to accept or to reject the Lord Jesus Christ. Many people today have already made that choice and are living their lives based on that decision. Here is a cross section of some of the people True-Christian may meet on his earthly pilgrimage.

- TOO-BUSY-TODAY: I'll consider tomorrow (If I can find the time) says Too-busy. I can't consider salvation now as I'm too busy. I've got work to do at my job, family commitments, and projects on the go. Too-busy may find time tomorrow or the next day to consider the Gospel. But not today as things just keep coming up!

Prov 29:1
1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

- RELIGIOUS-BUT-LOST: He is unteachable. Considers the error of his false religion the truth.

II Th 2:11-12
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

He vigorously defends his religious error in the name of truth. Does not love those who follow the narrowness of the Gospel. However he faithfully attends church and listens to the sermons of his church pastor/priest. He has come in contact with True-Christians. At first he heard what they had to say. Then when they stated that Jesus was the only way to God he became angry. He considers True-Christians the enemy and looks forward to the day when he can persecute and kill True-Christians.

Matt 23:27-28
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

PLEASURE-SEEKER: - Is there dancing in heaving? Can I go to bars and dance? Can I drink booze and party up? Doesn't sound too fun to me to be a Christian. Just a bunch of do's and don'ts. Pleasure-seeker wants the joys of sin for a season rather than the eternal glories of heaven. A Christless eternity in the lake of fire is chosen in exchange for a few short worldly pleasures now.

1 Tim 5:6
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

Prov 21:17
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

MR.SHIPWRECK: - I once served the Lord with zeal. I once had a burden for lost souls. But somewhere I lost that burden. I've had many trials and my dreams have not yet been realized. I'm also trapped in a dead end job and don't have the ambition to better my situation. Perhaps God has let me down! Therefore I have lost my burden and desire to win the lost. I go to a proud, rich, yuppie church assembly where sound doctrine is really not important. That is fine with me as I have also lost my love of sound doctrine. I'm not a happy person. A bit sad and reserved as I go through this life of disappointments.

Matt 10:38
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

- MATERIAL-RICHES-WANTER. He has no concern for eternity. Wants it all NOW. Wants to be rich with no needs here on earth. Uses lying and flattery to further personal interests and material wealth. Wants to gain the riches of whole world if it is possible. Not the least bit interested in storing up treasures in heaven. Why should he... since he doesn't even believe heaven/hell exists. Every week he goes out and buys his lottery tickets. Perhaps this will be the week for the "big one"!

Mark 8:36
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

ADULTERY-SEEKER: - Not overly happy in marriage. Gets involved in adultery outside the marriage bonds. Has restless feet and does not consider covenant made with God ... til death do we part...Has also had more than one marriage. Seems to have a 7 year itch that can only be satisfied by another relationship. Attends church and even sings in the choir. Got angry at one church though. They actually had the nerve to kick him out of the choir for dating a women even though he was married at the time. Don't they realize the divorce is in the works and will be processed within the year! Then - magically - it will be ok to date again.

Heb 13:4
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

- JOE-FORNICATOR: Lives for immoral pleasure. Wants to satisfy self with many different partners. Does not like the narrow and restrictive way of Christianity. Believes in his own way to God. Gets angry if presented with the Gospel. He will worship God the way he wants. His way of worshipping God does not limit his fornication in any way. God on my terms is the motto. His theology is dictated by his morality. He chooses a god that will be acceptable and approving of his immoral lifestyle. Joe visits the doctor and medical clinics quite often. He has had several bouts with venereal disease. Joe also has two forms of venereal disease that cannot be cured. All the doctors can do is give him medication to ease the symptoms and pains of the diseases. He doesn't know it yet but he also is HIV positive with the AIDS virus. As he fornicates he also infects his partners with terrible deadly disease. But Joe doesn't care as the only thing that is important is "his" personal pleasure. Joe will die before his time. It will not be a pleasant death for him or for others who have joined with him in his fornication.

1 Cor 6:18
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

Prov 5:1-12
1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

- BILL-UNTEACHABLE: Has some strange views about God. Wants to come to God on HIS own terms not on God's terms. Has little patience for those who think they have cornered the market on truth. Finds the Bible too restrictive and narrow-minded. He prides himself with the fact that he has an OPEN MIND! (he doesn't realize if a person opens his mind too far his brains will fall out!) Bill heaps abuse on anyone else who he perceives to be narrow-minded.

Matt 7:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

- MR.STUBBORN: Has made up his own mind about righteous conduct and truth. Will believe what he wants and does not wish to be bothered with any facts. Was born into a particular religion and does not want to be bothered with any facts that may challenge his way of living and religion. He was born into his religion and he will die in his religion.

John 3:36
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

- WIMPY. He claims to be a Christian but has no backbone. Will not stand up for the truth as that may create 'stress' in his life. Works for a 'Christian'(in name only) ministry involved in gross doctrinal error and compromise. Wimpy just blindly works there and is not concerned with error or lack of sound doctrine that surrounds him every day. Over time Wimpy becomes haughty and proud with an air of personal superiority over others. Recently a false teacher came to his church to hold week long revival meetings. These meetings are related to the demonic laughing revival. Wimpy can take everything in stride. By keeping silent he attends his church revival to hear this false teacher. He doesn't care as Wimpy is not a lover of God and of sound doctrine.

Rev 3:15-16
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

- SALLY-FAITHLESS: Likes to call herself a Christian. However does not live the Christian life. Sally is a liar to her friends and family. She constantly tells little white lies and thinks she is actually getting away with it! Does not attend church on a regular basis. Work keeps Sally so busy that the things of God just don't fit into her busy schedule. She gets up early and goes to work and doesn't come home till late at night. Her children are very familiar with daycare and baby-sitters! The lifestyle is catching up to Sally. She gets regular migraine headaches and has high blood pressure. She also has marriage problems.

Matt 7:22-23
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

- QUARRELSOME-JUNE: She is married and the proverb is true about her husband. It would be better for him to dwell on the roof than in the house with a quarrelsome women. She rarely makes it to church as work is a priority in her life. Her unsaved neighbors hear her claim to be a Christian but really don't understand her lifestyle.

Prov 21:9
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

- SICK-PETE He is a nice person if you were to meet him casually. However Pete has had terrible asthma for the last 10 years. He went to all kinds of doctors but his asthma was still serious. His doctors suggested he move to a city that has better climate. Pete grew frustrated and decided to go and see one of those holistic doctors with "new" ideas for medical treatment. He found one that is an occultic doctor who does funny Eastern religious techniques on his body. He had acupuncture performed on his body several times. Amazingly enough the occultic techniques seemed to relieve some of the symptoms of his asthma. One day while giving his testimony in a prayer group someone mentioned that the procedures were part of the occult and should be avoided by Christians. Pete got upset and claimed that he didn't care because all that mattered was the symptoms were relieved a bit. Unfortunately Pete has no discernment and is unteachable to many Biblical truths. He rejected the warning claiming that the ends justified the means. Pete does not realize that a Christian has no business going to the devil for anything! Even though he now enjoys a temporary relief from some of the symptoms, something worse is on the way for him. Occultic doctors cause demonic oppression and actually increase sickness over time. The devil is not a healer but rather a deceiver and a destroyer.

1 Sam 15:23
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

PROUD-PHIL: Phil goes to church and calls himself a Christian. He is in the music ministry. Phil loves his music. He doesn't care much about obeying God, sound doctrine, or winning the lost. Phil wants to further his music so he wants to play/sing in front of the church. Has a definite pride problem and considers himself superior to others. He has no burden for lost souls. Phil loves to play his music but that's about it.

Prov 11:2
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Prov 16:18
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Prov 29:23
23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

TOMAS-THE-EDUCATED-ONE: Thomas was raised without God. He went to school and got his PHD. Thomas is a very educated person who has no time for God. He does not want the Lord Jesus as Saviour. Its all foolishness to him. He is not hostile to Christianity but just sees no need for it in his life. Thomas prides himself on his level of education and his sharp mind.

Col 2:8
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

UNGRATEFUL-GRAHAM: He had help going through school when money was short in his life. Years later rather than being thankful he viciously attacked the person who helped him through school. He was raised in a false religion and clings with all his might to its errors. Not interested in the truth of the Bible as the errors of his false religion has become truth. Graham is a very worldly man who also considers himself religious and faithful to his religion.

II Th 1:7-9
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

GEORGE-THE-ARGUER: George is not the least interested in the saving Gospel of the Lord Jesus. However he loves to debate and argue. He doesn't have much of a social life so he spends his free time looking for Christians to talk to. He then enters into unprofitable debate with them. George calls himself a born-again-atheist just to get a good argument going. He has no concern for eternity but just lives from one discussion to the next.

Prov 13:16
16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

Prov 17:7
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Prov 17:12
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Prov 18:2
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

HARD-TIMES: Hard has had a rough life. He was married and had three children. In his mid thirties Hard got a disabling sickness. His 'faithful' wife promptly left him and then raised the children to be children of hell while she frequently and openly fornicated. Hard moved back with his mother who faithfully took care of him. Hard never got over his misery and pain. Although he heard the Gospel time and time again he never responded to it. Hard just wouldn't trust God so one day he died and faced a Christless eternity.

Prov 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

PARROT-THE-FALSE-PROFIT: He claims to be a Christian. In fact he says he is so close to God that God talks to Him on a regular basis either audibly or by visions. Does not need the Bible as his visions from God are enough. Openly tells people what God has told him to say. Even has a web site on the internet where he publicly posts all his visions and dreams. All who have ears that itch love to hear what Parrot has to say.

2 Cor 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

PASTOR-BARRY-THE-HIRELING: Barry went to Bible school and studied for the ministry. He got his degree and became pastor of a church. Barry really does not love God even though he is a pastor. Of course Barry claims to love God but his actions deny his words. If Barry loved God then he would love sound doctrine. Barry does not like controversy so he does not stand up against false doctrine. He just lets the errors come into his congregation unchecked. Barry prides himself on the fact that he is "loving" and does not like those "unloving" people who nit-pick at doctrine. When someone in his congregation is offended by a false speaking guest speaker or some other "wolf' in sheeps clothing, Pastor Barry gets angry at the person who complains! He wonders what the real motivation is for that person who is complaining and disturbing the "peace" in his congregation. Pastor Barry has a brother named Joe. Joe also went into the ministry and became a pastor. However Pastor Joe is different from Pastor Barry. Joe is in it for what he get. Pastor Joe has found ways to increase himself financially from the giving of sincere Christians. People give to pastor Joe's ministry and make the assumption that the money will be used for Godly purposes. Little do they know that the money bag has a direct leak right into pastor Joe's bank account. Both Pastor Barry and Pastor Joe are nothing more than hirelings who will answer to God directly in this life and in the next!

Ezek 22:26
26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Ezek 44:11-13
11 Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them.
12 Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.
13 And they shall not come near unto me, to do the office of a priest unto me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, in the most holy place: but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they have committed.

MARSHA-ANY-WAY: Marsha believes that all paths lead to God. She has respect for Christians because if it works for them then fine. Good for them if it works and makes life better! She personally rejects Christ as it is all fairy tales to her. But each to his own is her motto. No concern for eternity as she doesn't believe it exists.

John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

CHURCH-GIRL: She lives for her church. She attends a church that denies foundational doctrines of Christianity while calling themselves 'Christian'. Her whole social life and family is involved in the church. Hopes to marry a good man from church one day. However she will not consider the truth as that would upset her family and church life. So she blindly clings to church and rejects sound Biblical counsel and doctrine. At work when people come back on Monday and say what they did over the weekend, Church-girl tells everyone what she did at church. She will live faithfully for her church right up to the time that she dies and perishes forever in the lake of fire.

2 Tim 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

BUG-GIRL: She is married and claims to have a Christian family. However church attendance and Bible reading are unheard of. She shows up in church maybe once every 2-3 months. Likes to go to bars to celebrate birthdays and the odd other occasion. Her husband can't stand the nagging so he works long hours. He is a work-a-holic. The house they live in is a dump with trash and filth scattered about as bug-girl is a lazy housekeeper. Their place is a real pigs stye. But one can get used to cockroaches over time. Even though bug-girl claims to be a Christian, it is very hard to see any Godly fruit manifest in her life.

John 14:15
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:23-24
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

WORK-A-HOLIC: He has a great set of priorities. Work comes first, second, and third. Family and God are there somewhere but not really prominent. Has a severe obedience problem. Why obey God if the Bible is rarely read? If reading brings conviction then just stop the reading then the conviction goes away. Besides there is work to do and projects to finish in the wonderful world of employment. Thoughts about the return of Jesus and eternity in heaven are not considered as he lives to work and works to live.

James 5:1-3
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

HONEY-COMMON-LAW. HONEY is a girl that is currently living with a man outside of the marriage relationship. She hopes one day to marry the man and she feels the only way to hold this man is to give him what he wants. So she lowers herself to be put into a position to give him the benefits of a wife without the commitment. Her man is happy and unknown to HONEY, he really does not want to get married. After all HONEY is not the type of girl most men want to marry. They are playthings to be used and then thrown away when finished. When her man wants to settle down he wants a girl who has some self respect. But HONEY is in denial so she picks this loser and hangs on to a blind hope that one day he will want to marry her.

Heb 13:4
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

JULIE-THE-CHURCH-HELPER. Julie is married. However she is married to church service. Whenever the doors of the church is open she is there doing service of some kind. She sings in the choir, teaches Sunday school and volunteers for all kinds of projects. Her husband and children are neglected. In fact all her children have gone astray. For example her son left home as a teenager and lived on the street with his friends. He got involved in immorality and drinking and is addicted to rock and roll (both religious and secular). Julie is now a grandma. Her son shacked up with a honey he met on the street and they produced a grandson. Through it all Julie keeps busy as there is always something to do in the church. Julie professes to be saved and a spirit-reborn Christian. However she is addicted to service and puts church work before her family.

1 Tim 5:8
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

HYPOCRITE: He is tired of playing the Christian game. While he was a so-called Christian he still partook of evil. He just did it secretly. Now he is fed up with sneaking around to sin and has openly rejected the Lord Jesus. His father is proud of him as he didn't want him to become a Christian in the first place. He says he does not wish to be a hypocrite so he openly indulges in the sin he once kept secret. In this world there are many hypocrites. Most are still in the secret stage of their earthly walk going to church and doing evil secret sins. Most hypocrites like to attend church and some even have positions of authority in their church. The Bible refers to these type of people as 'tares' among the wheat.

Matt 13:30
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Matt 13:40-42
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

HARRY-THE-MAN-FOLLOWER: Harry claims to be a Christian but does not follow the Lord Jesus. Instead he follows teachers of the Bible who he claims to be right on! He defends his teacher idol and offers their books and tapes to all who will receive them. When his Bible teacher gets arrested for child molestation or falls away, Harry just looks and finds another Bible teacher to blindly follow. Harry has a brain like a dry sponge ready to soak up all the latest teachings from his current Bible teacher idol. He prefers that over reading and obeying the Bible.

II Jn 1:7
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Matt 24:11-12
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

BURT-THE-BLASPHEMER: Burt does not like Christianity. To him it is just foolishness. He constantly berates Christians and has little good to say about God. He believes the Bible is just a book of myths written by men. He really hasn't looked at the evidence showing the Divine inspiration of the Bible but really...who needs the facts. Burt is not a pleasant person to be near especially if he is angry. He constantly demands: Show me God if He is real. Make Him appear to me now so I will believe! After that he rants and raves about the foolishness of Christianity.

Jude 1:10
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

2 Pet 2:12
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption.

Mr.UNITY: He believes in the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God. He is a 30th degree Mason and is currently working on his 31st degree. He doesn't care if Masonry is a blasphemous occultic false religion. Sound doctrine is a foreign concept to Mr.Unity. He likes being a part of a man-club with all the secrets and hidden handshakes. Mr.Unity recently got involved with Promise Keepers. He likes the idea of uniting all kinds of religions into one big one. He enjoys going to the stadium rallies with 20,000 other men from other religions such as: Catholicism, Mormonism, and all kinds of Christian-in-name churches. Mr.Unity considers himself a good loving Christian. However he doesn't spend much time reading or obeying the Bible. He considers those who dare to stand against his love of unity to be narrow, divisive, unloving, and judgmental with a closed mind. He insults these type of people and writes them nasty letters. All this is done in the name of love and for the cause of unity.

2 Cor 6:14-17
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

COLD-TED-AND-MARTHA: The Cold family have been going to church for years. They attend church on a regular basis and are involved in Christian activities and service. However they have lost their first love. The Lord Jesus is not the same person he used to be many years ago. They have grown somewhat distant from the Lord even though they go through with all the right motions. They are also cold in heart to others at church. They have been nasty to people and have cut them off at the slightest provocation. However they feel they are serving God and even teach a adult Sunday school class. Ted Cold is involved in missionary service to the Lord. People who see them can see their works in the church but their coldness of heart is also apparent to others.

Matt 24:12
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Rev 2:4
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

GOOD-SOIL: This person has never really understood the Gospel. He has heard bits and pieces of it. He has a healthy respect for what he has heard. However when presented with the Gospel Good-soil understands as God opens his darkened eyes. He responds and becomes a True-Christian. Good is a rare person to find. Some have been known to travel Kingdom bound for years before meeting Good-soil. Others who are used by God in soul reaping ministry meet Good-soil quite often. He is a pleasant fellow to meet on the way to God's heavenly kingdom!

Ps 34:8
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Ps 84:12
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Jer 17:7
7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

TRUE-CHRISTIAN: This person loves the Lord Jesus Christ. He is a sinner redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. True-Christian loves God and His Word. He grows and matures in Christ as the years go by. The fruit of the Spirit can be seen to develop in this persons life. Even though True-Christian occasionally falls, he always gets up and keeps on walking with his Lord. True-Christian has found a good thing in the Lord Jesus and prays that others will also find salvation. True-Christian has a love for God and a burden for lost souls on their way to hell. True-Christian is going to heaven and he wants to see his family and friends go there also. He is saddened that he meets so many that just do not wish to be saved. Nevertheless True-Christian keeps on pressing toward the goal, a home in heaven forever with the Lord Jesus Christ.

I Jn 5:11-13
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

The above is quite a list of various people a True-Christian could meet on his earthly pilgrimage to the heavenly Kingdom. The list could be expanded but above is a good sampling of various people (some Christian ... some not). Personalities were added to help the people sound real. Perhaps you have met some of them on your pilgrimage to God's heavenly kingdom. Some are fellow Christians and others are tares and deceivers. Some people are an encouragement and a blessing to the True-Christian while others are a snare and a source of trials and tribulation. But the Lord has told His people that in this world we would suffer tribulations and trials.

John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 14:22
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

The parable of the sower is very interesting. It shows different types of hearts as they respond to the Gospel. In the above list of people everyone has responded to the Gospel in different ways. Some have responded in obedience and others with rebelliousness or neglect.

The sower spreads the Gospel. As a result people react to the Gospel in different ways.

Mark 4:3-20
3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Above is the description of the parable of the sower. In verse 9 the Lord Jesus comments that those who can 'hear' it should do so. Next He goes on to explain the meaning of this parable to His disciples.

10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
14 The sower soweth the word.

The seed the sower uses is the Word of God. It is the saving Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. When the Word of God is sown in a persons heart it will fall on different types of soil. Saving faith only occurs on the good soil. On all the other types of soil the seed dies at some point in time. The first type of soil is by the way side. It is very rough soil which does not allow any seed to grow.

15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

The Word is sown to the persons heart. However the seed cannot grow at all on this type of ground by the wayside. The person hears the Gospel but does not respond in any way. The devil then comes and takes away the seed that was sown in his heart. This person is a Christ rejector and wants no part of the God of the Bible in his life. This person may or may not be religious. He may even attend some kind of Church. However he has no interest whatsoever in spiritual truth.

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

The next type of soil is stony ground. This type of soil will receive the seed of the Gospel. The seed takes hold in the stony soil and begins to grow. However the soil is very shallow and the plant cannot grow a proper root. Without a proper root the plant cannot endure the strong winds or rain and the plant is uprooted and it dies. The same is true with a person with a stony heart. He hears the Gospel and comes forward and makes a profession of faith. However this person learns that being a follower of the Lord Jesus can bring trials and tribulations into a persons life. When the hard times hit this person says it is just not worth it and he gives up playing the 'Christian' game. This person was never really saved in the first place but it took trouble in his life to make that fact apparent for all to see.

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

The next type of soil is thorny soil. With this type of soil a person hears the Gospel and comes forward to make a profession of faith. However he never really made a true commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. Over time the cares, love of riches and power begin to affect this person. He finds it increasingly hard to live the Christian life and to pursue the riches and things of this world. Therefore at some point in time the person chooses the things of the world over the Gospel. He then falls away from Biblical Christianity. Again this type of person was never saved but that fact is not apparent until the person falls away.

20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Finally we have a description of the soil of a True-Christian. He hears the Gospel and responds with true saving faith in his heart. The longer he walks with the Lord Jesus in this life the closer he becomes to Him. Godly fruit can be seen in this persons life as it is natural for a seed to grow into a plant or a tree and then produce fruit. Each True-Christian is equipped with spiritual gifts given by God Himself. As a result this person brings forth an abundance of fruit.

As True-Christian walks on earth during his earthly pilgrimage he will meet all kinds of people. Everyone on earth has one of the four types of hearts mentioned above in the parable of the sower.

As you finish reading this tract ask yourself the question: What kind of heart do I have. Is it wayside soil, stony soil, thorny soil, or a heart with good soil that has responded with saving faith to the Gospel?

John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

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