Is This A Tare or Wheat?

Matthew 13:24-30 is a parable talking about the tare and the wheat.  For many years I’ve read this passage and kept it moving, but verse 30 has caught my attention:  Let both grow together until the harvest….

It made me reflect on “church hurt”.  Instead of seeing it as how this brother or sister can hurt my heart so, I now view it from a different level.   I now say to myself is this saint or a tare?  In reviewing The Handbook of Bible Applications, the characteristics of believers are:

1.      Imitate Christ’s merciful, forgiving attitude

2.      Let love guide their life

3.      Let peace of Christ rule in your heart

4.      Always be thankful

5.      Keep God’s word in you at all times

6.      Live as Christ representative

These characteristics are even to be viewed within our churches.  How do we treat one another?  How do we treat outsiders?  A true saint will not lead someone to go contrary to God’s word.  A true saint won’t let someone feel bad if God is taking them from carnality to spiritual mind set.  A true saint will not cause division or strife.  A true saint will not be so controlling.  These are not fruits of God’s kingdom.  So what are they….a tare.  When you think about it, what better place for tare to be then in church?

Matthew 7:6

Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?

“Church hurt”, let’s look at this from a different point of view.  If a person in church shows you fruit that is contrary to God’s kingdom, then note he or she is a tare and pray for their deliverance. Unfortunately, not everyone saying Lord, Lord in church is of God.  I have decided moving forward there is no such thing as “church hurt”, for those of the church don’t do such things due to the love of God within us.   Instead call it for what it is, “tares”…pray and keep your mind stayed on the one that can keep you in perfect peace.  

Stay encouraged!

Had I Known...

Someone tells you, particularly women, there was a fifty percent off sale at your favorite department store and you missed it…had I known.

Men, your friend had an opportunity to go to the game but he can only place the tickets for a particular day and you don’t have the money for it…had I known.

You didn't take heed to a warning in reference to a relationship seriously and it ended up hardening your heart...had I known.

Three simple words with such a profound thought behind them.

As Christians, we are enjoying the blessing of God’s kingdom so much that we have become a bit selfish.  We have forgotten our main purpose, to share the gospel!  Have we been hearing about Christ coming back for so long that we ourselves have become numb? Selah

Imagine the same three words:

I would have listened when the preaching was available had I known.

I would have repented and gave my heart to Christ had I known.

A deep thought is "had I known" can be too late.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 10:9

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Some say only God can judge me.  Ok, then what?

Matthew 24:36

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

The truth is Jesus will come back!   Those three words will be too late.  Give your heart to Him; it will change your life!  Not just for this life, but also for eternity.