Not all are Christian
Jesus said,
“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 thornbushes, 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.
The apostle Peter warns,
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.” 2Peter2:1,2
Here both Jesus and Peter warn of false prophets and teachers entering the church. Peter telling us that many will follow their shameful ways.
This has been happening in the church since its earliest days and continue to this day. The difference between Peters time and now is we have a multi-media world that can spread false doctrine faster than ever before. Not only that we seldom have met or know the preacher in the media personally or know what his life is like.
It is therefor imperative that we as believers in Christ Jesus study the word of God for ourselves using a wide range of study aides. And not just study aids that agree with our point of view.
When we come across something others disagree with us on we need to ask ourselves why and look to see if what they say has merit.
They key however throughout all our studying should be to seek the truth found in the Bible. Not just what we want to hear.
St. Augustin said,
“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” St Augustine.
Thus my question to you. If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus are you following the advise the apostle Paul give Timothy when he writes,
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15.
Please think about it.
Jesus said,
“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 thornbushes, 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.
The apostle Peter warns,
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.” 2Peter2:1,2
Here both Jesus and Peter warn of false prophets and teachers entering the church. Peter telling us that many will follow their shameful ways.
This has been happening in the church since its earliest days and continue to this day. The difference between Peters time and now is we have a multi-media world that can spread false doctrine faster than ever before. Not only that we seldom have met or know the preacher in the media personally or know what his life is like.
It is therefor imperative that we as believers in Christ Jesus study the word of God for ourselves using a wide range of study aides. And not just study aids that agree with our point of view.
When we come across something others disagree with us on we need to ask ourselves why and look to see if what they say has merit.
They key however throughout all our studying should be to seek the truth found in the Bible. Not just what we want to hear.
St. Augustin said,
“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” St Augustine.
Thus my question to you. If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus are you following the advise the apostle Paul give Timothy when he writes,
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15.
Please think about it.
