The hot summer sun, that strengthens and ripens the hardy grain, destroys that which has no depth of root. So he who "hath not root in himself," "dureth for a while"; but "when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended." Many receive the gospel as a way of escape from suffering, rather than as a deliverance from sin. They rejoice for a season, for they think that religion will free them from difficulty and trial. While life moves smoothly with them, they may appear to be consistent Christians. But they faint beneath the fiery test of temptation. They cannot bear reproach for Christ's sake. When the word of God points out some cherished sin, or requires self-denial or sacrifice, they are offended. It 48 would cost them too much effort to make a radical change in their life. They look at the present inconvenience and trial, and forget the eternal realities. Like the disciples who left Jesus, they are ready to say, "This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" John 6:60.

Den varme sommer sol, der styrker og modner det hårdføre korn, ødelægger det, der ikke har dybe rødder Således vil den, der "mangler rod" kun holde ud "til en tid"; men "når der kommer trængsel eller forfølgelse for ordets skyld, tager han straks anstød". Mange antager evangeliet mere for at undgå lidelser end for at finde frelse fra synd. De glæder sig til en tid, for de mener at fromhed vil befri dem for vanskeligheder og prøvelser Så længe alt går godt for dem, synes de at være oprigtige kristne. Men når fristelsens ildprøve kommer vakler deres tro. De kan ikke tåle bebrejdelser for Kristi skyld. Når Guds ord viser dem en eller anden skødesynd eller kræver selvfornægtelse eller opofrelse, bliver de forargede. Det ville være alt for besværligt for dem at foretage en gennemgribende forandring i deres liv. De ser på de nuværende ubehageligheder og prøvelser og glemmer de evige værdier Ligesom disciplene, der forlod Jesus, er de rede til at sige: "Det er en hård tale; hvem kan holde ud at høre på den?"