Even a casual look at the headlines today is enough to convince us of the great need for a revival of righteousness in our world. Evil terroristic activities, the promotion of perverted lifestyles, corporate scandals, and revelations of insider trading all demonstrate the great need for healing and change in the land.

That change can only come, both individually and corporately through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through the Gospel we are made new creatures, freed from condemnation, given the nature of God in our being. We have healing from spiritual, emotional and physical wounds. Through the Gospel, we have the ability to walk in the love of God toward our fellow man.

In His parable of the sower, Jesus compared the Gospel to a seed planted in the hearts of man, designed to bring forth much fruit in the earth. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has the power and potential in it to produce much fruit in our lives and to change our world, but we must individually ask the question: how much fruit is my life really producing for God?

Yes, the Gospel is powerful to change lives. Jesus died for our sins, took the penalty, so we could be free. He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquity, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we were healed. There is not a more powerful and life-changing message on the face of the earth than this Gospel seed about which we speak today.

In some cases, Jesus said, the seed would produce much fruit—some 30, some 60, some 100 fold. In other cases, it would produce nothing. The difference is in the condition of the soil. There is no problem with the Gospel seed. But even the best seed will produce nothing if planted in poor soil.

Hosea says to “break up your fallow ground.” This is emblematic of repentance. . . a true heart-felt change. We must allow God’s “field cultivator” to go deeply through our heart, to prepare the soil for the proper planting of the seed. The fallow ground is, in fact, soil which was once tilled, but now is laying dormant. This speaks of the need in the lives of believers to re-repent to find freshness and a true reality in their Christian walk.

You can easily determine how effectively the seed is working in the soil of your heart by simply looking at the fruit that is being produced in your life. Are you loving God with all your heart? Your actions will reflect that love. Your church attendance, your prayer life, the things that you spend our money and time on  all are clear indicators of what kind of crop is being produced in your life.

Your actions toward family members and others also demonstrate how well God’s crop is growing in your life. Are you truly walking in the love law? Perhaps you are sitting on your blessed assurance, but seeing little true fruit. It’s time to do some deep digging in your heart and allow the seed of the Good News to take root.
If your experience in God is shallow, you will bear little fruit. If the seed does grow, it soon withers when times get tough. You are easily offended and you quit. In some cases, everything that this world has to offer has choked the Word and it becomes unfruitful.

God’s Word (the Gospel) can change your life, but you must repent and return to God. You must break up the fallow ground and begin to sow to yourself in righteousness. Then a true refreshing will come into your life. This is what is needed in the church today. This is what is needed to change our world. Repent and believe the Good News today!