Sam was fourteen. He had just accepted Jesus in his heart and he wanted to make
a difference in life. He decided to attend a Christian boarding school for the
remainder of his high school years. He carefully chose one that was supported by
a seminary, because after graduation, he hoped to study theology and become an
effective and dedicated pastor.
He entered the boys' dormitory on that very first day wearing his best suit of
clothes. His tie was perfectly straight, and from the genuine way he spoke as he
introduced himself, one would have thought that he was already a pastor: "I'm
Sam. I want to become a pastor once I finish high school." He was so caring and
always eager to help that no one doubted he would achieve his goal and everyone
welcomed his friendship.
Unfortunately, this included his not-so-desirable classmates. Before long, his
manner of dress changed. The tie was out first, and then jeans with holes
replaced his suit. This was followed by changes in his ambitions. No longer did
he want to become a pastor, and his kind deeds were replaced with foul language.
In fact, he soon became a specialist in the worst kind of swear words.
What had gone wrong?
The grass started to look greener outside of the church!
Jesus addressed this problem early on in His ministry. In fact, He gave a very
poignant illustration of this very problem: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.
As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and
ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang
up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants
were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among
thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil,
where it produced a crop-a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who
has ears, let him hear." (Matt 13:3-9 NIV)
Let's take a closer look at each of these examples:
1. INCOMPREHENSION: "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and DOES
NOT UNDERSTAND IT, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his
heart. This is the seed sown along the path." (Matt 13:19 NIV)
This first example isn't talking about someone who is in the church. Instead it
is referring to those who never accept the word they hear. Notice why the evil
one is able to snatch it away before it can take root in their hearts: They
don't UNDERSTAND it!
In the last three examples, Jesus is referring specifically to people who ARE in
the church, for in each of these examples, the Good News was accepted with
eagerness. Let's look at Jesus' explanation of the first two to see what Jesus
has to say about "greener grass"-about why people fall away from the church:
2. AFFLICTIONS, TROUBLES AND PERSECUTION: "The one who received the seed that
fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with
joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or
persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away." (Matt 13:20-21
NIV)
3. WORRIES OF THIS WORLD: GLAMOROUS DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES: "The one who
received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but
the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it
unfruitful." (Matt 13:22 NIV)
In our day and age, it is easy to make someone feel dissatisfied, to make them
long for something better. Just point out inconsistency and claim it to be a
global truth. For example: the church edifice gives the opportunity for many to
come and worship God together. However not everyone who comes there is saved. In
fact some fake being a Christian so well that they end up having an important
function in the church! How easy it is to point out their hypocrisy and then
generalize it to: "They are all hypocrites!" This kind of reasoning easily leads
at noticing the deceitful greener grass outside of the church.
What can happen to those who fall for the "greener grass" deception? Let's look
at the life of Judas. He betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins (see Matthew 26:15).
The silver coins looked so attractive at the time Judas went for them. However
soon he realized the deception, but while attempting to amend his error, he
ended up committing suicide. (see Mathew 27: 3-5).
There is one group of people in Jesus' parable, however, who persevere to the
end. It is the last group: "But the one sown on the good ground-this is one who
hears and UNDERSTANDS the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some
60, some 30 times what was sown." (Matt. 13:23) Why does this group succeed when
the others fail? The difference between them lies in the word "understand". They
understood the true message, not just the frills! And the resulting crop was
proof of this.
The only way to avoid the "greener grass" pitfall is by consistently keeping our
eyes on Jesus: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our
faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such
opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
(Heb 12:2-3 NIV) His love outshines any glamour and deceitfulness of this world.
His perfect love brings us into perfect understanding. No time to look at the
grass elsewhere when contemplating the One who really cares for us and died for
us so that we could experience eternity with Him.
Grass is for the cows! I am a Christian. I will be following Jesus instead of
that single-minded herd! What about you?
Rob Chaffart
P. S. Did you notice who is behind this trying to make the grass look greener
outside of the church? The same one who is responsible for the seed not growing
at all: It is the one an only called "Lucifer" or the devil. See "Wheat, Weeds
and Wheetabix"; or read Matt 13:25-39!
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