That passage, if you look at the context, is not talking about believers. Believers cannot lose their salvation (wouldn’t be worth much if you could earn or lose it, would it?) It’s by grace we are saved. Period. Yes, there are people who hear and know, but reject the Gospel. They were never “believers.”
Very true. The only believer in that parable is the one where the seed is accepted and understood and it produces fruit.
What I find interesting is that parable shows that the fruit or works from the seed come AFTER accepting the seed. Those with a works based idea of salvation, seem to think they can do some kind of works to produce the seed or earn the seed. Nothing like that is in that parable.
The parable also goes hand in hand with the book of John which talks about Jesus as the Word. (The seed in the parable is the Word or Jesus.)
John 3, is followed by john 14-12,12. “Otherwise believe for the very works’ sake. Amen, amen I say to you, he that believeth in me, the works that I do, he also shall do; and greater than these shall he do”
luke: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26. He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27. And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28. And he said to him: Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
mark 10
17. And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.