10/7/12

You shall know them...


Last night I watched an episode of "Grimm" that had the minister of a church as a wolf and his congregation as sheep.  If you are familiar with the series, you know that all the "monsters" change back and forth between normal looking people and a variety of not-so-nice monsters.  So, unless you are a Grimm, you wouldn't even recognize them.  Which raises the question: Are there "monsters" among us?  The answer is yes and no at the same time.  Here is a closely related quote from Jesus...

Matthew, Chapter 7
13 “Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it.  14 How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.

  15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?  17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.  18 A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.  19 Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.  20 Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.  21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  22 Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ 23 Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

  24 “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.  25 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.  27 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”"

Whatever label you put on it, there are those out there who are evil and could be called "monsters".  Jesus says you can tell an evil person by what they do.  Its not what they look like on the outside, but what is on the inside that counts.  There won't be a sign identifying them, but just watch what they do; over time you will know with certainty who is who.  When it comes to religion, if you follow what the Bible says to do, you are going through the "narrow gate"; if not, you might as well take that little diamond sign and hang it around you neck.  The good news is... you can change... open your Bible and see for yourself!!!  If not, your future will be looking very grim indeed!!!