Note 7 at Lu 8:15: As has already been noted (see note 1 at Lu 8:8), good ground doesn't just happen; it has to be cultivated. This is the reason only one out of four people in Jesus' parable brought forth fruit. It takes a lot of effort and diligence to be a fruitful Christian. As also stated in this verse, it takes a lot of patience. The Christian life is not like a hundred yard dash but rather a twenty-six mile marathon. It takes time to become a fruitful Christian. It's quicker and easier to raise weeds than it is to raise tomatoes or corn.

In this whole parable, it was the Word that produced fruit. The ground just gave it a place to grow. If we will simply put God's Word in our hearts, protect it, and give it priority in our lives, the Word will produce fruit of itself. Satan has deceived many of us into thinking that we don't have the talents or abilities to be fruitful Christians, but we are not the ones who bring forth fruit; it's God's Word. When we protect the Word sown in our hearts, it will do the rest.