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Jesus warns of a certain kind of believer who stumbles and falls when trouble arises. "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away" (Matthew 13:20-21, NAS). This is the compromising Christian who is suddenly exposed to the true Word of God. He is suddenly awakened and there is new joy. This one says, "this is just what I've been seeking! It's changing my life. It's wonderful!" He goes everywhere, like a walking commercial for this new truth, telling everybody, "You must come with me – they give you the truth in my church!" He appears to be happy and growing, but there is a hard, stony heart that's not yet broken. Then God allows suffering, anguish, pain, hurt, and rejection, and he can't understand it! It doesn't compute for him. He says, "I've tried! I've prayed – I've read my Bible – I've turned around from what I was. So why is all this happening to me now?" God's Word is at work in him, but he becomes impatient. It offends him. He sees very godly people suffering and it doesn't seem right. So he stumbles over it – gives up – and falls!
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