LET THE WORD DO THE WORK

God has so transformed my life and so I expect the same to happen to those around me but for many it don't. If I could make people change I sure would. It can be really frustrating to see people who in Christ have so much potential but just refuse to follow His ways. I feel I say exactly what I think they need to hear and they seem to listen yet no real change follows. Jesus teaches about this in Luke 8:4-15, "the parable of the farmer scattering seed". The Word is the seed, the field is the heart. My responsibility is to give the Word, God's responsibility is to work on the heart. Depending on the condition of the heart will determine the effect of the Word. It takes planting much seed for some fields to produce much of anything. I cannot do what only God can, it is His field not mine. He alone can predetermine the time it takes for change to follow. If I get frustrated it does no good, it makes matters worse, for most likely I will neglect continuing to scatter seed, and I will cause a delay in the work God is doing. The Devil's job is to try to delay change, so I must remain steadfast, and just do my part, and eventually change will come. Many are those whom seem to receive the Word of God yet they have listened to the lies of the enemy so long, that the truth is just not received for long. Then their are others who receive the Word, yet it doesn't go deep, because their relationship with God is shallow, and in time temptation leads them away. While others seem to receive the Word but it is choked out because their lives are so full of the problems and pleasures of this world. Then finally their are those whom have a heart ready, they are willing to be open and honest with God and therefore He us able to grow within them bringing forth His character with a great harvest following. It is not our responsibility to figure out who is best to invest time in, it is our responsibility to simply be lead by God. This is not a marketing business where we examine whom will bring the best results. Each heart is different and we just plant the seed and leave the results to God. We don't have the ability to change anyone, believe me I have tried, the Word alone has the power to transform, so all we can do is work the Word, and let the Word do the work. Some may respond well right away while others may take time but we are never to give up on anyone unless it is God.