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Matthew 13:12
In Matthew 13:12 (NKJV) Jesus states, “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” Speaking spiritually, “whoever has” is in reference to those who have opened their hearts to Jesus and welcomed God’s presence through His Holy Spirit in their lives. This is referring to those who hear the gospel and accept it and begin seeking to implement God’s ways in their lives. They, “will have abundance” as Jesus declares in Matthew 13:12a. But Jesus also declares in Matthew 13:12b, “but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” For those who refuse to open their hearts to Jesus and receive the gift of the guidance and counseling that comes through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, what they have heard of the gospel, and rejected, will result in an eternity in which, what they have heard will be taken away, along with the possibility of ever becoming a child of God (John 1:10-13).
This is a promise that those who hear and receive the message of the gospel will grow in the spiritual understanding and growth that comes with putting God first in their lives.
This is a promise that those who hear and refuse the message of the gospel will have the good news that they have heard taken away from them for eternity.
The thought rings through my mind, heart, and soul every day of those who hear the gospel and accept it, and of those who hear the gospel and refuse it, and of how we can reach everyone in the world to hear the gospel in hopes that they will accept it along with the new life in Christ Jesus and the eternal guidance and counsel through His Holy Spirit in which indwells everyone who opens their hearts to Jesus (John 14:15-18, 26). It is our duty as Christians to spread the message of the gospel throughout the world as we learn and grow in Christ Jesus. This adds to an eternal chain-reaction of spiritual indwelling, growth, and reliance on God that is the purpose of the gospel – to put God first in our lives and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40).
Dear LORD,
There are a couple of things that are very important in today’s Bible lesson: first that we hear the message of the gospel, and second that we open our hearts to it and receive the gift of salvation and the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit that only comes through Christ Jesus. Please let it be so LORD. In Jesus name I pray, amen.