Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- April 17, 2013
The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. Matthew 13:24-25
God sows good seed in the world. We see the Lord’s good seed all around us: churches, ministries, hospitals, orphanages, families and individuals that love and obey Christ. Law abiding citizens, honest taxpayers, hard workers, generous givers and studious students all sprout from the good seed of our Savior Jesus Christ. Moreover, the sowing of God’s good seed never ceases. He will grow up preachers, missionaries, church planters, diplomats and executives for His glory.
However, while God is sowing good seed around you, Satan is sowing bad seed. He is creating evil influences that seek to thwart the plans for good. Evil will mingle with the righteous until Christ comes to separate the wheat from the tares. Thus, psychotic and/or demon possessed people rampage among innocent children with rapid and murderous gun fire. The sons and daughters of disobedience look for ways to steal, kill and destroy. Bad seed grows among good.
In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 2:2, NKJV
Furthermore the bad seed resembles the good seed, its real nature is not revealed until it bears the fruit of its true intent. This is how two people can both attend church together, while one is going through the motions and the other is a dedicated disciple. You can be a church member, but not be a child of God. The good seed of salvation is sown along with the bad seed of hypocrisy. But we wait for Christ’s judgment and pray God’s grace has His transforming affect on the lost tares.
We are not the judge of someone’s soul, He is, but we can model what it means to be an authentic follower of Jesus. For example, as we encounter conflict at church we can remain calm and express our concerns with a voice of reason and grace. Our role is to represent Christ in our conduct and conversion. It’s the Holy Spirit’s role is to examine motives and expose evil intent. So, celebrate God’s sowing of good seed and prayerfully trust in Christ’s judgment of the bad.
This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ. Romans 2:16
Prayer: Heavenly Father thank You for Your good seed that grows and bears great fruit.
Related Readings: Matthew 3:12; Ephesians 5:6; 2 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 20:4
Post/Tweet today: Bad will mingle with the good until Christ comes to separate the wheat from the tares. #judgment
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Being a believer that works as a psych professional I disagree with this statement as it is portrayed as a generalization: “Evil will mingle with the righteous until Christ comes to separate the wheat from the tares. Thus, psychotic and/or demon possessed people rampage among innocent children with rapid and murderous gun fire.” I have experienced many Godly people who struggle with Psychiatric Diseases. To make this type of label is ungodly and inappropriate, and thus could be considered as being evil.
This is a good reminder to prayerfully set up boundaries and keep them maintained!
JK,
Amen! I was just about to say the very same thing. I have been a Christian for 25 of my 31 years and have suffered with depression both major and dysthymic at various points in my life. I would not call the majority of these bouts being demonic possession. Putting that kind of label on someone is completely contrary to showing that person the love, grace, and mercy Christ would command us to exhibit to them.
Also, as for the article, I agree with much of what you are saying Boyd. However, I feel like you have removed the human element of freewill completely from the equation. God sews seed or Satan sews seed. God moves through and in humanity, we are His body. When we choose to obey His will we are a part of the sewing process. When we choose to ignore His will, whether it because we are fearful, lazy, distracted, or choose to outright defy God does not mean that the Devil holds all so much sway over us he uses us to sew bad seed. His influence as sin being to product is evident in all humanity, saved or unsaved. Humans are capable of great evils because we are fallen, it is not always a product of demonic possession, psychological disorder, or Satan is directly causing someone to sew bad seed.
Whew, thank you!
The Bible clearly states we are not to judge! That is His job and His alone. In the 10~plus years I have been a Christian I have come to realize we as Christians only need to love the sinner and hate the sin!
I enjoyed the Bibical words of wisdom. Ineed this each and everyday. Thank you .