(All Verses ESV and From Biblos.com)
“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27
I feel deeply for new Believers and burned out Christians. Many are confused about what God wants from us and how to do his will when so many different denominations and their leaders are in conflict and onfused about it themselves. Over time people become frustrated and even depressed over what they see taking place among believers. If you are going through this please continue to read.
What is the church? Is it an institution, assembly, gathering, movement? Well, yes and no. In short, it is defined by the above sentence in part, but not in totality. Let’s have a look at this from a well known concordance, Strong’s:
{Strong’s G1577 – ekklesia – From a compound of G1537 (ek – “from out of”) and a derivative of G2564 (kaleo – to call aloud or call forth); a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): – assembly, church.}
The church in its purest form is a group of called out by name people who are dispersed all over the globe and throughout all of history. You see, God created, sought and secured a covenant relationship with us. He ransomed and purchased us with the blood of his Son. The price for salvation was paid in full, given away for free. This is the message of the true gospel. Unfortunately there are venal profiteers who have found a place within the church. They have marketed salvation and the benefits of faith for personal gain. Those leaders, more than anyone else, have contributed to the confusion of the day. Passive believers are also to blame for not speaking out. But take heart, God described this in both the Old and New Testaments, and He will deal with it.
Jeremiah 5:26-31 Cult of Personality
26 For wicked men are found among my people; they lurk like fowlers lying in wait.a They set a trap; they catch men. 27 Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; therefore they have become great and rich; 28 they have grown fat and sleek. They know no bounds in deeds of evil; they judge not with justice the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy. 29Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?”
30 An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: 31 the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?
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Matthew 13:24-30 Who’s Authentic?
24He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weedsc among the wheat and went away. 26So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27And the servantsd of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”
The Parable Explained: Matthew 36-43
36Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. 41The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
There it is; no need to be consumed with the question of wheat and tares. It’s not important to focus on every area of doctrine a person holds or their hypocrisy. God knows who he has called, and you don’t. However, the scriptures clearly state we will know people by their fruit. This is emperical! Actions will demonstrate whether or not you should follow. When something is out of line with the fruit of the Spirit or the clear teaching of scripture, don’t be confused; reject it! Your life and path will be easier. We are free to serve in spite of all the confusion of this present age.