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BELIEVERS AND PROFESSORS (PRETENDERS) |
Ever since God has had a people separated to Himself they
have been sorely troubled by the presence among them of
those who professed to be, but were not, of them. And this
will continue until “the Son of man shall send forth his
angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things
that offend, and them which do iniquity... Then shall the
righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their
Father” (Matthew 13:41-43).
Matthew 13:41-43
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and
they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that
offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall
cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be
wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the
righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. |
Scripture plainly tells us of this mingling of tares and
wheat - of mere professors among true believers. Yet
misguided students have frequently applied to the children
of God the warnings and exhortations meant only for the
self-deceived or hypocritical.
The fact of such admixture is abundantly recognized in the
Scriptures. (See Genesis 4:3-5; Exodus 12:38; Numbers
11:4-6; Nehemiah 7:63-65; Nehemiah 13:1-3; Matthew 13:24-30,
37-43; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 2:4; 2 Peter 2:1-2.
Genesis 4:3-5
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain
brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto
the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the
firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And
the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not
respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his
countenance fell.
Exodus 12:38
38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and
flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.
Numbers 11:4-6
4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a
lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again,
and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? 5 We
remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely;
the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and
the onions, and the garlick: 6 But now our soul is
dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this
manna, before our eyes.
Nehemiah 7:63-65
63 And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the
children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which
took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite
to wife, and was called after their name. 64 These
sought their register among those that were reckoned
by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were
they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. 65 And
the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not
eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a
priest with Urim and Thummim.
Nehemiah 13:1-3
1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the
audience of the people; and therein was found
written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should
not come into the congregation of God for ever; 2
Because they met not the children of Israel with
bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them,
that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned
the curse into a blessing. 3 Now it came to pass,
when they had heard the law, that they separated
from Israel all the mixed multitude.
Matthew 13:24-30
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying,
The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which
sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men
slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the
wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was
sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared
the tares also. 27 So the servants of the
householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not
thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then
hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath
done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou
then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said,
Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up
also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together
until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will
say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the
tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but
gather the wheat into my barn.
Matthew 13:37-43
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth
the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the
world; the good seed are the children of the
kingdom; but the tares are the children of the
wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the
devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the
reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares
are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be
in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall
send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of
his kingdom all things that offend, and them which
do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace
of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of
teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as
the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath
ears to hear, let him hear.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed
into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great
thing if his ministers also be transformed as the
ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be
according to their works.
Galatians 2:4
4 And that because of false brethren unawares
brought in, who came in privily to spy out our
liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they
might bring us into bondage:
2 Peter 2:1-2
1 But there were false prophets also among the
people, even as there shall be false teachers among
you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring
upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall
follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the
way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
It is impossible, in a brief Bible reading, to refer
to all the passages which discriminate true
believers from the mass of mere formalists,
hypocrites, or deceived legalists, who are working
for their own salvation instead of working out a
salvation already received as a free gift. (See
Philippians 2:12-13 with Ephesians 2:8-9.) The
following comparison of verses will sufficiently
indicate the lines of demarcation.
Philippians 2:12-13
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my
absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you
both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of
works, lest any man should boast. |
BELIEVERS ARE SAVED; MERE PROFESSORS (PRETENDERS)
ARE LOST
TRUE BELIEVERS
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“And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved
thee; go in peace” (Luke 7:50).
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles'
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they
follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and
they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck
them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me,
is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck
them out of my Father's hand” (John 10:27-29).
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and
him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
And this is the Father's will which hath sent me,
that of all which he hath given me I should lose
nothing, but should raise it up again at the last
day” (John 6:37,39).
“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came;
and they that were ready went in with him to the
marriage: and the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10).
“Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of
Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that
believe: for there is no difference” (Romans 3:22).
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him:
for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife
hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that
she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and
white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of
saints.” (Revelation 19:7-8).
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am
known of mine” (John 10:14).
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,
having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are
his” (2 Timothy 2:19).
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth
on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47).
“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given
me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my
glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me
before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24).
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which
hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until
the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
“But we are not of them who draw back unto
perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of
the soul” (Hebrews 10:39).
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“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was
baptized, be continued with Philip. But Peter said
unto him... Thou hast neither part nor lot in this
matter: for thy heart is not right in the *ht of
God” (Acts 8:13,21).
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for
if they bad been of us, they would no doubt have
continued with us: but they went out, that they
might be made manifest that they were not all of us”
(John 2:19).
“But there are some of you that believe not. For
Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that
believed not, and who should betray him. And he
said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can
come unto me, except it were given unto him of my
Father. From that time many of his disciples went
back, and walked no more with him” (John 6:64-66).
“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying,
Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said,
Verily I say unto you, I know you not” (Matthew
25:11-12).
“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto
men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and
iniquity. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers! how
can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matthew
23:28,33).
“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw
there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and
he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither
not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand
and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer
darkness” (Matthew 22:11-13).
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have
we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have
cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works? And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”
(Matthew 7:22-23).
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say
he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save
him?” (James 2:14).
“For it is impossible for those who were once
enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift,
and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have
tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the
world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew
them again unto repentance” (Hebrews 6:4-6).
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man
draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him”
(Hebrews 10:38).
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BELIEVERS ARE REWARDED:
PRETENDERS ARE CONDEMNED
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Compare:
Matthew 25:19-23 with Matthew 25:24-30;
Luke 12:42-44 with Luke 12:45-47;
Colossians 3:24 with Matthew 7:22-23.
Matthew 25:19-23
19 After a long time the lord of those servants
cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that
had received five talents came and brought other
five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me
five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five
talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done,
thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler
over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy
lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came
and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two
talents: behold, I have gained two other talents
beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done,
good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many
things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:24-30
24 Then he which had received the one talent came
and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard
man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering
where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid,
and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there
thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and
said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant,
thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and
gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest
therefore to have put my money to the exchangers,
and then at my coming I should have received mine
own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from
him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he
shall have abundance: but from him that hath not
shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And
cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer
darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.
Luke 12:42-44
42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and
wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over
his household, to give them their portion of meat in
due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his
lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a
truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler
over all that he hath.
Luke 12:45-47
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord
delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the
menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and
to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come
in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour
when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder,
and will appoint him his portion with the
unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his
lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did
according to his will, shall be beaten with many
stripes.
Colossians 3:24
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the
reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord
Christ.
Matthew 7:22-23
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have
we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have
cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. |
Some texts are not free from difficulty, but with prayer and
careful study light will surely come when keeping in mind
the important rule: Never use a doubtful or obscure passage
to contradict a clear and positive one. Do not use an “if”
to contradict a “verily”: Hebrews 6:6 to contradict John
5:24.
Hebrews 6:6
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto
repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the
Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
John 5:24
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth
my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. |
The cases of Judas Iscariot and of Peter should present no
difficulty. Judas was never a believer; (see John 6:68-71).
Peter never ceased to be one (Luke 22:31-32).
John 6:68-71
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom
shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69
And we believe and are sure that thou art that
Christ, the Son of the living God. 70 Jesus answered
them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you
is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of
Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being
one of the twelve.
Luke 22:31-32
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan
hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as
wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith
fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen
thy brethren. |
It should be ever remembered that these principles are to
guide us only in rightly dividing the Word of God, but are
never to be applied to living persons. The judgment of
professors is not committed to us, but is reserved to the
Son of Man (Matthew 13:28-29; 1 Corinthians 4:5).
Matthew 13:28-29
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The
servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go
and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while
ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat
with them.
1 Corinthians 4:5
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the
Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden
things of darkness, and will make manifest the
counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man
have praise of God. |
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