(Over at CatHouse Chat, I’m blogging my resolution to read my Bible every day, and try to post on it at least four days a week. Here is today’s entry – I hope you find it edifying!)
Hey-ho! I’m actually starting this before noon (barely – it’ll be AFTER noon before it’s finished, LOL), but I am determined to keep up with my resolution!
So, for today’s readings from the MacArthur Daily Bible, we have Genesis 37 and 38, Psalm 9:11-20, Proverbs 3:31-35, and Matthew 13:1-30.
As you see from the title, the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares jumped out at me:
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.'”
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Just because you’re in a garage, doesn’t mean you’re a car”? If you have, I bet it was in the context of discussing what a “real” Christian is.
Many people accuse the church of hypocrisy these days, and in many ways, they’re correct. The American church has grown fat and lazy, and European churches have grown marginalized and heretical. Scandals abound, the Gospel is ignored, and God’s Word is dismissed. It’s tragic, yes, but worse than that, it’s sinful. It blasphemes the Name of God and drives people away from His saving grace.
However, in one way it is incorrect to accuse the Church of hypocrisy.
Ah, you noticed that I capitalized “Church” this time, didn’t you? Whenever I capitalize “church,” I am referring specifically to the true Church – the real believers who are sanctified by the Blood of Christ and trust Him alone for their salvation from sin. The true Church crosses denominations, cultures, ethnicities, gender, age – God has called His children out from every tribe and tongue and nation. Every culture, every “race” will be represented at the Throne when God draws time to a close and ushers in Eternity, and the triumphant roar of worship will be given in every tongue this earth has ever heard.
So, what does that have to do with the false charge of hypocrisy? Well, the people who make up the true Church have honestly faced their sin and helplessness, and gone to the only Healer who could cure them. We aren’t denying the truth of what we are: sinners. Those who are in the garage and calling themselves cars are the hypocrites – the tares. God will eventually root them out and cast them away, but not before His timing is complete.
Thus, the wheat and the tares grow side by side, and it can be very difficult to discern between the two. However, God knows His own –
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
But we who think we’re Christians must be very careful. Although we cannot lose our salvation, if it is true salvation, some may be deceived that they are saved when they are not. Thus, we must be careful to work out our own salvation, we must constantly evaluate ourselves to see that we are in the faith and following our Lord and Savior.
And so, the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares is also a cautionary note – don’t assume. Walk humbly before your God, and if you’re not sure, then get on your knees and into the Word. Have a long, honest talk with your Father in Heaven.
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
God is a good God: He is generous, loving and faithful. But He is also holy and cannot look upon sin, and so you must be washed clean before you come into His presence. He has provided the way through the death of His Son; the offer is open to all who hear His voice and obey… GO TO HIM!
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