Wheat and Weeds

  Wheat and Weeds

The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.

We especially those of us who live in the western democracies where freedom of speech is a right, are living in the times the apostle Paul is talking about. True freedom of speech allows for people to say anything they wish provided it doesn’t hurt anyone.

Thus when it comes to the interpretation of Scripture we have people who deliberately misinterpret it. Usually for personal gain. 

Jesus speaks of these people in this parable.

In the gospel of Matthew we read,

"Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  

But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.  

When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 

"The owner's servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' 

" ‘An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 

" ‘No,' he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.  

Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' Matthew 13:24-30.

Thus it will be for those preachers, evangelist, teachers and anyone that deliberately mislead people. They will be burned up.

This should be a chilling thought for anyone who would wish to deliberately misinterpret the word of God and lead people astray.

Please think about it.

Will welcome correction

  Will welcome correction

The apostle Paul writes,

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16,17.

The apostle Paul also wrote, 

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  

  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

The one thing I see here in North America is that Christians don’t seem to do a good job at keeping their own house clean so to speak.

When someone, be it a pastor, teacher, evangelist or for that matter a layman uses scripture incorrectly no one seems to correct them.

Part of this is due to freedom of speech laws. (Laws which are good and can used right help with the spread of the Gospel of Christ).

 Part of it however is what I see is a reluctance to stand up to teachers, preachers, and evangelists. People in authority within the church.

Now don’t get me wrong there can be differences of opinion on some interpretation of scripture. At least on minor points. The core beliefs however should never be compromised.

The trouble comes when men and women deliberately misuse scripture for personal gain or other reasons and thus lead people astray. 

Such people can bring dishonour to God among those outside the church.

It is therefor imperative that we correct wrong teaching.

After all if a person is teaching things incorrectly by mistake or because they were taught wrong in the first place. I’m sure if they are sincerely following Christ would welcome the correction.

What do you think?

Please think about it.

Are you certain?

  Are you certain?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  

I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  

I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.  

So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.  

I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.  

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you):  

Only hold on to what you have until I come. 

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations. Revelations 2:18-26.

Jesus notes that the church at Thyatira has faith and love. That they are doing more for Christ than they did at first. However Christ points out that they tolerate Jezebel. 

Some scholars believe this to be a reference to the old Testament Jezebel who married king Ahab and imposed worshipping Baal on the northern kingdom of Israel. Others believe it could have been an actual person who was leading people away from the gospel of Christ. Either way some people in Thyatira were being led astray. 

Christ warns against this. Calling Jezebel and all who follow her to repentance. If they do not they will suffer.

As for those who have not followed these false teachings Christ states He will not impose any other burdens upon them.

Today in 2023 there are many church congregations that tolerate false teachings. Either they don’t want conflict or say it is freedom of speech and belief. This should not be so.

We as believers in Christ Jesus need to speak out against false teachers. To correct them and offer them the opportunity to repent before God judges them.

The apostle Paul writes,

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16,17.

Thus I would as you the reader. First are there false or misled teachers, (Jezebels) people within your congregation or denomination that need correction?

Secondly are you certain you are believing the true Gospel of Christ Jesus?

Pleases think about it.

Keep your house clean

  Keep your house clean

The apostle Paul wrote,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

This I think here in North America is one portion of scripture that is difficult to practice because many false teachers and heretics hide behind freedom of speech and libel laws.

Additionally those who would pervert the meaning of scripture say it is their interpretation which they are entitled to. 

While I agree there is various interpretations of some portions of scripture. The core doctrines of the Bible must be adhered to. And those who would misinterpret these basic doctrines should be expelled from the church.

For me the Apostles creed, while not written by an apostle of Christ, states the basic Christian principles. It reads,

1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

2. I believe in Jesus Christ God's on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the          Father almighty.

7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost

9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

Do you believe this?

Do the pastors and evangelist you listen to believe this?

Please think about it.