Goodboy
Just waiting for the Rapture at this point!
Before you read what I have written please know that I am willing to be corrected if you can show me from the Bible where I am wrong. I do realize this understanding is most likely different from what you have heard. However, what most Pastors teach subtly implies that you must do something other than believe to be saved, meaning works. Also, while reading this please don't lose track of the fact that we are saved by grace and it is a Free Gift! 
The Sower
Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
Luke 8:6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
Luke 8:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit a hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Luke 8:9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all record Jesus parable of “The Sower”. Most pastors I have heard refer to either Matthew or Mark when preaching on this parable. I have not heard a pastor preach from Luke regarding this parable. I don’t know if this is intentional on their part or just happenstance.
Am I saying that there is something wrong with Matthew or Mark’s version? Not at all! Their versions are absolutely correct, just not as precise. In Luke’s record he adds something to make it clear what Jesus was saying by adding “lest they should believe and be saved.” This was added to make it clear that the only group that was not saved in the parable was “Those by the way side”.
The purpose of the parable was not to discuss what it takes to be saved and/or how committed you must be. The purpose of the parable was to reveal the main reasons that Born Again Christians do not run what Paul would call the good race. Things like temptation, cares, riches and pleasures of this life cause them to fail in their Christian walk.
Jesus uses this parable to warn the Apostles that;
Some would never accept Christ as their savior (The Way Side).
Some would accept Christ as their savior, but temptation would cause them to fall away (The Rock).
Some would accept Christ as their savior, but the cares and riches and pleasures of this life would keep them from bring forth fruit (The Thorns).
Some would accept Christ as their savior, keep the word and bring forth fruit with patience (The Good Ground).
For those who think the only ones who are saved are "The Good Ground". Look how Matthew and Mark describe "The Good Ground".
Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
So if "The Good Ground" is what it takes for salvation then, according to Mathew and Mark you must get at least 30 people saved.
So this parable is primarily (except for the Way Side) talking about a Christian’s walk, not about salvation. Most preachers I have heard say that the only ones who are saved are those “On the good ground”. If that were true then salvation would not be a free gift, as it would require that there is something that you must do (works) other than accept Jesus Christ in order to be saved.
All that is required for salvation as stated in Luke 8:12 and many other scriptures is to believe. All the others things a Born Again Christian should do are for the rewards you will receive some in this life, but most in eternity.
Goodboy
The Sower
Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
Luke 8:6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
Luke 8:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit a hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Luke 8:9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all record Jesus parable of “The Sower”. Most pastors I have heard refer to either Matthew or Mark when preaching on this parable. I have not heard a pastor preach from Luke regarding this parable. I don’t know if this is intentional on their part or just happenstance.
Am I saying that there is something wrong with Matthew or Mark’s version? Not at all! Their versions are absolutely correct, just not as precise. In Luke’s record he adds something to make it clear what Jesus was saying by adding “lest they should believe and be saved.” This was added to make it clear that the only group that was not saved in the parable was “Those by the way side”.
The purpose of the parable was not to discuss what it takes to be saved and/or how committed you must be. The purpose of the parable was to reveal the main reasons that Born Again Christians do not run what Paul would call the good race. Things like temptation, cares, riches and pleasures of this life cause them to fail in their Christian walk.
Jesus uses this parable to warn the Apostles that;
Some would never accept Christ as their savior (The Way Side).
Some would accept Christ as their savior, but temptation would cause them to fall away (The Rock).
Some would accept Christ as their savior, but the cares and riches and pleasures of this life would keep them from bring forth fruit (The Thorns).
Some would accept Christ as their savior, keep the word and bring forth fruit with patience (The Good Ground).
For those who think the only ones who are saved are "The Good Ground". Look how Matthew and Mark describe "The Good Ground".
Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
So if "The Good Ground" is what it takes for salvation then, according to Mathew and Mark you must get at least 30 people saved.
So this parable is primarily (except for the Way Side) talking about a Christian’s walk, not about salvation. Most preachers I have heard say that the only ones who are saved are those “On the good ground”. If that were true then salvation would not be a free gift, as it would require that there is something that you must do (works) other than accept Jesus Christ in order to be saved.
All that is required for salvation as stated in Luke 8:12 and many other scriptures is to believe. All the others things a Born Again Christian should do are for the rewards you will receive some in this life, but most in eternity.
Goodboy
