Sitting across the table from two “Mormon Elders” I listened as one told me: “We came here to teach you, not to be taught. It is clear that we are not getting anywhere and for sure you are not going to change our minds; so we think it best to leave.”

It was not that I refused to be taught; I listened very respectfully to what they said. But a lot of what they said had to be challenged by the Bible. When challenged, instead of examining the evidence, they decided to leave. Instead of acknowledging the possibility of being mistaken, they opted never to change. This is both tragic and common with many people. “My mind is made up so don’t try to change it.”

One thing that sets Christianity apart from other religions is that it is a taught religion. One cannot be a Christian by simply being born into a family of Christians. One is not a Christian by means of living in a so-called “Christian Nation.” The truth of the matter is the only way men and women can become Christians is by being taught and then by complying with that teaching.

When Jesus lived on the earth he spent the years of his public ministry teaching. “Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes,” (Mk 1:21-22). Many times throughout the gospels we read of similar instances where Jesus taught the people (Matt 5:2; Mk 2:13; Lk 4:1517; Lk 6:6; Jn 5:59).

The reason for this teaching is revealed in Jn 6:44-45, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall all be taught by God. Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” Teaching produces disciples. This is the purpose of the  great  commission.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen,” (Matt 28:19-20).

Unless one is willing to be taught, however, it is impossible to come to the Lord. In the Lord’s parable of the sower we are presented to hindrances that will prevent one from being taught. In Matt 13:19-23 when the Lord explained the parable and the different soils upon which seed had been sown, he described hearts (minds) that had been instructed in the word of God.

“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside,” (vs 19). This is a hardened, closed heart/mind. Hardened and closed by sin, or the love of sin. This is a mind that is closed by prejudice or preconceived beliefs, or hardened by a lack of interest in spiritual things. Or a mind that is just plain stubborn; so obstinate it will never receive the truth of God.

“But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles,” (vss 20-21). Some hearers have no staying power. Their listening and understanding is shallow; so superficial that whenever misfortune or maltreatment comes he or she will immediately turn back to the sinful things of the world. These are like the man who joins the U.S. Army in order to wear the uniform, but upon learning he has been deployed to battle that might cost him his life, he deserts.

“Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful,” (vs 22). This one’s listening, understanding and commitment are one-dimensional. The spiritual cannot compete with the world and its riches, cares, recreation and opportunities. He cannot tolerate for long this “pie in the sky” life so he abandons Christ in favor of what he can have now.

“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty,” (Vs 23). Jesus now describes the one who will endure to the end. This one has a good and honest heart so as to receive the word, regardless of what that word says. It does not matter to the one with a good and honest heart what the Lord has said in his word, because this one is glad to hear and happy to obey. This was the great mindset of Cornelius in Acts 10:33, “Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

Those who have honest and good hearts will never be closed minded. They will not be like my young visitors who decided they could never be taught.

Several years ago I came to realize that my entire belief system (denominational) was wrong. I learned that what I genuinely believed brought about salvation in fact did not. How much good would it have done my soul to declare that no matter what I was shown I would never change?

After surrendering to the Lord and being baptized into him, I had many more things to learn. I brought with me many biblical misunderstandings. I brought with me many inaccuracies in my knowledge. But I believed I also brought with me a heart that was honest and good. “Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears,” (1 Sam 3:9).

Through the years I have continued to grow in my knowledge (2 Pet 3:18). And I have no doubt that if the Lord permits me several more years to learn of him and be taught by him that I will yet grow even more, so long as my heart remains honest and good.

-- jrb