One Small Seed Newsletter – Edition #242, May 2021
Hello and blessings in Jesus’ name,
Jesus said: Beware of false prophets: which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Wherefore (consequently) by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:15-20)
Comment: There are three words that define the word judgment in the Greek Dictionary. One is to investigate, another is to declare and the last is to execute. When Jesus said “beware” he was saying, investigate the person who is prophesying; they declare, by the fruit they bear and the words they speak and their true self. But it is not our place to execute anyone, that is God’s responsibility.
Jesus went on to say: (Matthew 7:21-23)
Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 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.
Comment: When Jesus was speaking in this text he was teaching Jewish people, who lived under law, but didn’t have a clue what grace and truth were about. When they judged people they judged by their law, but not by God’s law. God’s law was what he penned down on stones, but the rest was penned down by Moses, or others after Moses was no longer in the picture. In fact, God only needed ten laws, but Moses and crew expanded it to over six hundred and then Jesus narrowed them down to two laws; which is all we need today.
The basic idea of this month’s lesson isn’t the word judgment, nor the act of judging, it is about “victims”. I gave the Biblical text for a foundation for my thought, because the one who spoke the words was the greatest victim of all time. I believe his intention, by what he said, was based on love for the people of his day and the people of our day. I began the text with the words “in Jesus’ name” and carried those words through what Jesus said, and I want to carry them through the continuing thoughts.
Even though Jesus was doing good works and God’s will, there were those who accused him of breaking Jewish laws. But he never broke one of God’s laws. In the court of public opinion was where he was being judged and Jesus knew this, so he told them to beware. Since Jesus came to earth to be a victim of the sin he came to conquer, he faced everyday as a willful victim. Remember he said, at the end of his journey: Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scripture be fulfilled, but thus it must be? (Matthew 26:53-54)
We are all victims of something or someone. I could spend hours telling of the times I was victimized, but I always go back to what Jesus said: In the world ye shall have tribulations but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake (Matthew 5:10-11). He gave us a command to love our enemy, but to be repulsed by any sin. He told us that whatever we do, in word and deed, do all in the name of Christ. We must remember our devotion to God is in the name of Christ, because he is our Savior and our Salvation. God Bless.
Your friend in Christ,
Rodney