Change Comes From a Deep Change of Heart

This is one of the parables Jesus gave: "Hear, then, the parable of the farmer. When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside. What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty." (Matthew 13:18-23 KJV)

Have you noticed that people have faith to varying degrees? Jesus told the parable of the farmer to explain that, to really have faith in God, one must take the Word of God to heart fully. Someone who is told about God and who does not understand what this means or who does not believe, may be lost to the Kingdom forever. This is like seed being sown by the roadside, unable to take hold in the shallow, loose gravel. Other people hear the Word of God, and seem to joyfully embrace what is being said, but they do not allow God to take over all aspects of their lives and this is akin to seed sown in rocky places, able to grow for a short time, but unable to take firm hold and flourish, and easily uprooted at the first strong wind or storm. When these Christians face trouble in the world, or are questioned about their faith and challenged, they may deny God, as God is not the anchor that grounds them firmly in all situations. Other people hear the Word, and seem to take this to heart, but then are overcome by temptation and evil in the world. Perhaps they love God, but they love wealth more  and they do not put God first in their lives. Then there are those who hear the Word of God, and who take it deeply to heart. God is real to these people and He guides them through all they may face in life. They are deeply grounded in faith, as seed sown in fertile soil, able to take firm root and flourish and do good works for God. These people are not ashamed to proclaim that they are Christians and God is ever present and very real to them.

These principles can be applied to much else in life. When you truly believe in something, for example, from an ethical perspective, no-one will be able to sway you from your stance, though of course I do believe one must always hold some room to listen and adapt to truth.