Matthew 13:47-48
47Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.
Jesus here is teaching the principles of the kingdom to His disciples and states this parable to explain an important aspect of God's Kingdom as it exists today - the principle of Co-existence of Evil.
The gospel is being preached every day across the world and it is very true that many are brought into the fold of "Christianity". Every moment, every hour, ever day someone, somewhere is being saved from eternal damnation. And that is how the kingdom extends its reach into a sinful world.
But we also learn that just as every fish caught in the net is not "good fish", every person professing to be a disciple may not be a true disciple. There are many who may claim to be Christians who may not be truly "following Christ".
Christ wanted his disciples to know and understand this. We also need to understand this - so that we will not be deceived. And it is something that God has allowed in His divine plan - the presence of weeds among the good seed. And that is the way it will be, till the end of the age when God will separate the bad from the good and each will go to his appointed destination.
So what we need to do in the light of this teaching? The Bible warns that in the last days there will be many who deceive and many who will be deceived. That is why it is so very necessary to have the presence of His Spirit in our lives to be able to discern between good and evil, between the right and the wrong, between the good fish and the bad fish. In fact the Bible even says that there will be people who will prophecy and do miracles in the name of God.
But the Bible says, "By their fruit you will know them". And that is what distinguishes the true from the false - the fruit of the Holy Spirit as evidence of the presence of God. And we also encouraged to keep our eyes fixed on the author and perfector of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ so that we will not be misled by the many who claim to be followers of Christ.
God Bless!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
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