The book of Philippians Chapter 1 verses 15-17 separates preachers into two groups. There those who preach because of rivalry and envy and those who do so because they love Christ. It is those who do it for love that are called to be true defenders of the gospel. Those who seek rivalry are working for self-interest and should be disregarded and condemned.
The dilemma for most Christians is how to identify the genuine from fake preachers. Since they do not have marks on their head, most Christians are confused and end up following the wrong ones. However, Matthew provides an assurance that God knows about such people and has not allowed them to thrive without reason. The answer is in Matthew 7 verses 15-20.
According to Matthew, it is by their fruits that disciples are identified. These verses give the example of a tree saying that a good tree produces good fruits and will be identified by that. A bad tree will equally produce bad fruits. In the example, it is impossible to expect anything good from a bad tree just like men do not look for fruits in thistle trees.
A lot of attention should go to verse 19. In the verse, there is an assurance of the fate that will befall people who mislead others. According to Matthew, their reward is coming in the form of being cut down. Only trees that bear good fruits will be allowed to thrive. This is a warning to fake preachers. There is emphasis on chapter 3 verse 10 where the warning is very clear. Christ has put an axe at the foot of all trees that do not bear good fruits. These trees will be eliminated from the garden.
It is confusing when fake preachers and unfaithful Christians appear to thrive. This was foreseen by Peter and inspired to address it in chapter 2, verse 1-3. He says that their reward is almost being delivered. Worse still, this reward is in the form of destruction. When the destruction comes, they will have paid for their sins. The fact that they are thriving for the moment does not mean that God has allowed evil to thrive.
It is also worth noting that good preachers thrive and grow. A defender who remains faithful to the word will reap the rewards of righteousness. His harvest will grow by the day and become the envy of all nations. It will last for years, unlike that of pretenders that dissipates like smoke on a windy day.
A true defender and an imposter are not revealed instantly. This may cause Christians to wonder about the plan of God. However, God says that Christians should be patient. He is coming to reveal the secrets hidden in the hearts of men. This is when the truth will be known and the evil ashamed.
The outright sign that one is a false preacher lies in the actions of such servants. Their words lack conviction and are driven by material gains. They are more interested in getting people to their churches than having them to accept Christ. As Christ says, their day is coming and they will reap their rewards.
The dilemma for most Christians is how to identify the genuine from fake preachers. Since they do not have marks on their head, most Christians are confused and end up following the wrong ones. However, Matthew provides an assurance that God knows about such people and has not allowed them to thrive without reason. The answer is in Matthew 7 verses 15-20.
According to Matthew, it is by their fruits that disciples are identified. These verses give the example of a tree saying that a good tree produces good fruits and will be identified by that. A bad tree will equally produce bad fruits. In the example, it is impossible to expect anything good from a bad tree just like men do not look for fruits in thistle trees.
A lot of attention should go to verse 19. In the verse, there is an assurance of the fate that will befall people who mislead others. According to Matthew, their reward is coming in the form of being cut down. Only trees that bear good fruits will be allowed to thrive. This is a warning to fake preachers. There is emphasis on chapter 3 verse 10 where the warning is very clear. Christ has put an axe at the foot of all trees that do not bear good fruits. These trees will be eliminated from the garden.
It is confusing when fake preachers and unfaithful Christians appear to thrive. This was foreseen by Peter and inspired to address it in chapter 2, verse 1-3. He says that their reward is almost being delivered. Worse still, this reward is in the form of destruction. When the destruction comes, they will have paid for their sins. The fact that they are thriving for the moment does not mean that God has allowed evil to thrive.
It is also worth noting that good preachers thrive and grow. A defender who remains faithful to the word will reap the rewards of righteousness. His harvest will grow by the day and become the envy of all nations. It will last for years, unlike that of pretenders that dissipates like smoke on a windy day.
A true defender and an imposter are not revealed instantly. This may cause Christians to wonder about the plan of God. However, God says that Christians should be patient. He is coming to reveal the secrets hidden in the hearts of men. This is when the truth will be known and the evil ashamed.
The outright sign that one is a false preacher lies in the actions of such servants. Their words lack conviction and are driven by material gains. They are more interested in getting people to their churches than having them to accept Christ. As Christ says, their day is coming and they will reap their rewards.
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