Tuesday 4 March 2014

Not all who appear to be Christians are

Not all who appear to be Christians are.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
             Matthew 7:15-23.
Here Jesus makes it very clear that we are to be cautious. That we are to watch those who preach the word of God.
We are to look at their fruit. Are they brining people into the fold or are they turning people away.
There are a lot of preachers and evangelist out there that say they are proclaiming the word of God but are not.
They cloak themselves in the Bible and misinterpret it for their own gain and glory not God’s.
We are called to present the good news of Jesus Christ to the world we are not called do it for our own glory.
I’ve heard many over the years say well such and such an evangelist or pastor says this. And I know it’s not right.
Most people don’t even bother to check the scriptures quoted to see if they are taken in context or if they indeed do exist.
I know of one man who came to our church he was recommended by a reliable source.
Trouble was in the incredible hour and a half he spoke most of what he said was not right. Some of what he said was supposedly in the bible was not there.
It was an embarrassment to the church. Fortunately there were few visitors that day.
We are called to watch for such people.
And such people will one day stand before God and here Him say,
‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Therefore the message here is clear check what the speaker is saying. Take time to study what he or she said.
If you have a problem with what they say talk to them email them with your questions or even write a letter asking to clarify what they said.
It is up to Christians to keep ourselves honest and hold those who teach us to a very high standard.
So do as Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” 
Think about it.

No comments: