How you can tell who will be next…
I am going to put the section of scripture where Jesus makes very clear how to judge who is a ‘good tree’ and who is a ‘vicious wolf’. It has big implications for many – maybe you are included. It is all taken directly from Matthew Chapters 5 – 7.
To summarise, Jesus says:
– there will be many of them (the road to hell is wide, to heaven is narrow)
– they will come disguised (as sheep: nice, good, caring religious people).
– you can identify them (but not obviously: wisdom is needed)
– they will have an illusion of being His
– they will do ‘good things’ (often for a church / ministry / group / charity)
– they don’t *know* Him despite their outward religion
– they break God’s laws (some of the laws listed in this same section of scripture are below)
do NOT serve the ‘god’ of money (It is impossible to serve God and money)
DO care for the poor (and the orphan / widow / outcast)
do NOT lust (for things: idolatry / for feelings: adultery & pornography )
DO have love for everyone (including actual enemies who attack & lie, not just hurt feelings & misunderstandings)
do NOT seek revenge when wronged (just like Jesus who was wronged they love)
In short, they Love God and Love others. Selflessly.
Obviously, some of these things can lay remain hidden when you don’t know somebody very well.
The antidote to these things staying hidden? Intimate, daily discipleship while serving the God, seeking the Kingdom. You know, like Jesus told us, modelled to us and commanded us. Without that, a ministry / church can grow *very* big in numbers, teaching, hype and reach, but all these things may be lurking and hidden…for a while.
They will always come to light eventually, but after how much damage? Sometimes it is after the person has been in ministry for 20 years. Other times it is only after they have died. One day, all will be revealed to the whole world and then it may be too late.
Will you be one who, on that day cries “Lord, Lord, I did….x,y,z for you”? His answer to all who break God’s laws will be the same. PLEASE make sure you are not in that *large* crowd…
Matthew 7:13-23 (NLT)
The Narrow Gate
13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
The Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
True Disciples
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
I encourage you: prayerfully read & meditate on the whole of Mathew chapters 5 through 7, and make the needed adjustments to your life..
Lord, convict us of what needs to change in our lives, and empower us to live genuinely for You. We rely on You for grace and Your wisdom and your strength. Change us into the people You desire – people in the image of Your Son.