Monday | 15 December 2025
Jesus’ parable of the seed and grounds reveals two key impediments to entering rest, resulting in the weariness of a son of God. The first impediment is ‘the stones’ of law in our own heart. Paul described these stones as ‘another law’ in our person. Rom 7:23. This law is the source of our own righteousness. It is also the basis of the judgements that we make about ourselves, about others, and about the relevance of God’s word to us. Notably, Jesus said that people who find no deliverance from the other law have ‘no root in themselves’. He said that ‘when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble’. Mar 4:17.
A person who is receiving the word and is engaging in life through the prism of their other law is the measure of their own good and evil. In response to the word, their thoughts accuse or excuse them. Rom 2:15. This proclivity for self‑assessment is marked by an inability or an unwillingness to testify of personal, marital or familial reformation in the light of the word. The stones of law within their heart impede their ability to be rooted and grounded in love. This is because their affections are contingent upon the affirmation that they receive from others, and are often informed by comparison. 2Co 10:12. Jas 3:13‑14. For this reason, those likened to stony ground are easily offended and often feel victimised.
A second key impediment to entering rest, which causes weariness, includes the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things. Mar 4:19. These endeavours represent alternative yokes, or agendas, that are in competition with the works that belong to our sanctified obedience. Jesus likened these pursuits to ‘thorns’ that choke the word so that we become unfruitful in our expression as a son of God. Instead of bearing the fruits of the Spirit, which indicate blessing, we can become distracted and anxious and beset by the prickly passions of sin. Rom 7:5.
Further Study:
Romans 7
References:
Rom 7:23
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Mar 4:17
And they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.
Rom 2:15
Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them.
2Co 10:12
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
Jas 3:13-14
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
Mar 4:19
And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Rom 7:5
For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.