An Alternative Lifestyle
Sharing the gospel message does not mean that a majority will respond with genuine faith—true believers are a small percentage of people. And faithful Christians are a small portion of the true believers. In Matthew 7:13-23, Jesus gives the final
segment of His “Sermon on the Mount” and deals with a disciplined lifestyle, trustworthy leadership and a stable foundation. He offers two lifestyles for believers to choose from: one is desirable; the other to avoid. Each day demands a renewed commitment: “”If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) In His first word picture, Jesus compares the way to life to an entrance through a gate—“the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life.” (v. 14) Even among believers, we find the many and the few: the few who hear and obey the Lord’s commands and the many who only hear. The only part of the Bible you truly believe is the part you obey. Real Christian living comes only to those who are willing to pay the price. The second word picture Jesus uses compares false teachers to hungry wolves—“inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (v. 15) They draw their prey away from truth and consume them. The sheep is a symbol of innocence and sincerity. So, to come in sheep’s clothing, assumes an appearance of sincerity. False teachers may appear very interesting; but they should be judged not by appearance, but by the effects of their principles. They have appeared throughout history and have always found victims. Jesus also compared false teachers to bad trees, producing rotten fruit—“You will recognize them by their fruits.” (v. 20) A tree is not judged by its leaves, or bark, or flowers, but by the fruit it produces. Don’t accept teachers because they sound good—look at the fruit! There will be con artists in the church. Beware of who you trust as your religious leaders.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
