|
Bring Forth Fruits Meet For Repentance
I have said before there are three things the local church is to have as its necessary foundation.
They are: "worship the same God", "saved the same way" and "bring forth fruits meet for repentance".
This is based upon many passages, but in short:
20 But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea,
and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Acts 26:20
I want to take a look at what "bring forth fruits meet for repentance" really means. I am sorry I have
to be so blunt in my criticisms here, but the apostasies are so great, I have no other choice. There
are many different churches that call themselves "Christian". Many are churches that have a history of
conservative, Bible-believing character. From what I'm observing, I must conclude these are
"pseudo-Christians" today. Jesus said we would know those of His by their fruit:
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is
the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their
fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth
good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is
hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:13-20
15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it,
and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:15
Human Weakness versus Sheer Wickedness
I would like to start with the acknowledgement that no church is or could be perfect. There will be the
flaws of humanity battling at every level. We have to deal with many in love - others in strict rebuke.
What I am addressing, is the levels of iniquity that are not addressed.
I shall go into detail over a number of blatant antichrist typicals that aren't resisted any more.
First, I have witnessed churches which claim a heritage of appreciating salvation by grace and enjoying
many humanitarian outreaches, that have no comprehension of holiness. These are pseudo-Christian assemblies.
There might be true believers there in ignorance, who strive to live pure lives, but these will be
negligible, if at all. I have seen active members of these churches deliver the vilest of jokes who
are professing Christians. I have seen others tell outright lies and have no shame. A true believer
may fall and tell a lie, but one of God's true children will be ashamed of it. The Holy Spirit in
that believer will shout the wickedness of such and bring that person under a sense of shame and to
repentance. The person who lies without shame, or indication of turning from that evil, is not someone
who has the Holy Spirit indwelling them. They may do charitable works, but these alone are not
indications of the new birth. If holiness is absent, or the striving for that holiness, the new birth
has not taken place. If that is so with a person, we need to face it, and clearly declare in our
assembly that "so-called" brother or sister is not truly in the household of faith. We need to call
them to turn to God. If they are already declared members in the communion of the brotherhood, we HAVE
TO ADDRESS THEM as the scriptures call us to. We have to confront that unrepentant sin. If they won't
turn from their sin, the process of excommunication must be followed.
Scripture Promotes Open Rebuke
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which
converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude
of sins. James 5:19-20
You will notice James calls one who was a brother, who goes into sin, a sinner who needs to have his very
soul saved. A true Christian versus a pseudo-Christian was not a hard thing for James to discern.
I met a man who indicated he had been a long-term member and involved in his church. From a relatively brief
period of involvement with this man, I witnessed the blasphemous use of God's name, repeated lying and
lying in slandering others who had done no wrong. This man was a living witness of his church. From what
I saw, I would never even think of going to that church. My thought was how shameful his church would
allow that kind of behavior to go on. Such a man would have been excommunicated from any church that
even thought of holiness.
Another instance was in the testimony of dress. I encountered a woman who openly defied her husband in
wearing clothing he indicated was stuff a prostitute would wear. He didn't want her wearing that in public,
yet she laughed and did it anyway. In another instance the woman had others who begged her not to go out
dressed "like that", she joked over how silly they were. This woman was an active member in a supposedly
conservative church. One godly minister testified, "Suppose, too, that a sister dresses beyond Christian
modesty; then she should be spoken to about it, since this has now become a matter of caring for the
Lord's corporate testimony." If we fail to hold the ground, we slander the Lord and accept into communion
those who have not repented of their wickedness. They are not God's children, and we fail to call them
to salvation. We also destroy the testimony of God's holy body in the issue of "bringing forth fruits
meet for repentance".
John the baptist did not shirk to be blunt with those religious persons who did not truly repent:
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and
Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from
the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within
yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise
up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree
which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with
water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to
bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will
thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with
unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:6-12
How can we fail to do any less than John the baptist, if we are a true group of believers?
Separation from the World
I have seen others who proclaim to be devout who use foul language of every variety, both profusely and
others less frequently. Still, these are one and the same in their lack of turning from the vileness of
the world. They also partake in things such as getting such vile filth as the "Harry Potter" videos to
give their children. To be so blind to the iniquity of witchcraft and claim Christianity, is utter rubbish.
The witches absolutely love "Harry Potter". They have had more join "the craft" since it came out, than at
any other time. Children have been heard in the school playgrounds to be repeating stuff from "Harry
Potter" where they are actually inviting spirits into their bodies. Pseudo-Christians bring these things
into their homes, and their church says nothing about it. I've heard that some of these pseudo-Christian
churches actually use Harry Potter in the Sunday School classrooms to teach the children!
This naturally flows into the whole of TV viewing. In a children's book, I read a conversation between two
parents. It was about the concern of protecting their child from friendships with contaminated youth who
watch TV and that sort of thing. That book was published by a truly conservative publishing company. Such
books are extremely rare and wouldn't be tolerated in most Christian bookstores. Especially in the books
for children. In fact, just making the statement would arouse an uproar in these abundant
"pseudo-Christian" circles. They would have to cry in outrage because the adoption of such a view would
mean that those members who stay away from TV would have to conclude not to allow their children to get
together with all the majority in the "church" who do. Those parents who realize the danger would be taken
as "judgmental" by those who don't care to protect their own children. When they see those who shun the
TV, telling their children not to hang around these other worldly children, what do you think will
happen? The outcome of a church split goes without saying, then comes the question: Why would such
result in a split? The answer comes down to "bringing forth fruits meet for repentance". True Christians
will not be able to gather with those who are simply civic-club, social pseudo-Christians. The issue
of holiness will bring conflict and division. There will either be sell-out, and a move totally out
of the arena of true Christian believers, or there will be a constant guard with condemnation of that
which is contrary to holiness.
Along with this we can compare the issue of Halloween. Here in the United States, most pseudo-Christians
celebrate this devilish holiday. Not just celebrate it either. Some professed "Christians" host Halloween
parties. "Bringing forth fruits meet for repentance" means a diligent clearing of ourselves in separation
from such clearly evil things of the world.
Holiness Substitutes
This pseudo-Christianity that has arisen has completely blinded the eyes in its slide away from a holy
foundation. That is what I mean by a whole apostate condition. The pseudo-Christian religion that is
predominant throughout the United States is a total replacement for true Christianity. It has become so
overpowering in its influence and so corrupt in its walk, that people flock into it, getting wrapped up
with its many marketed items thinking they are on-fire for God. The truth of the matter is, they have
joined a "rah rah" religious group that acts as a powerful tranquilizer to the conviction of the Holy
Spirit. These pseudo-Christians are providing substitutes for conforming to the image of Christ.
- Holiness is substituted by "missions for the church members" such as a summer-trip across the border
to help build a church building.
- Holiness is substituted by visits to the nursing home.
- Holiness is substituted by weekend church retreats on having a better marriage.
- Holiness is substituted with bands that gather for a "Christian" weekend concert bash.
- Holiness is substituted with church sports teams.
- Holiness is substituted with every imaginable charitable work.
- Holiness is substituted with cross-church activities, to show "cooperation".
- Holiness is substituted with a one-hour church service every Sunday.
I hope this has given you some grasp of what has arisen to stand as a replacement for true Christianity.
Don't get me wrong, true Christians will do missions, and charitable works and the like. True Christianity
will not sell out on the issue of holiness, which is this "bringing forth fruits meet for repentance". If
the gathering has sold out on this, it has become that religious group that John the baptist called,
"vipers".
May we seek in true humility to walk faithfully before God perfecting ourselves in the spirit of holiness
and separating ourselves from every filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit:
7 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh
and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Amen!
The statements in this article will be hard for many to receive. The following is a list of verses which
show what the scriptures say on the issue of looking, evaluating and judging whether another person's
claim to a Christian conversion is genuine.
Matthew 18:15-17; 25:31-46; Mark 3:33-35; Luke 6:43-45; 8:20,21; Acts 8:13,17-24; Romans 16:17,18;
1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Galatians 6:1,2; Ephesians 5:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22; 2 Thessalonians
3:6,14,15; 2 Timothy 3:5; 4:2,3; Titus 1:12,13; James 1:26,27; 2:19,20,26; 1 John 1:6,7; 3:10;
3 John 11; Revelation 12:17; 15:12; 21:8
|
Free to Copy under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND3.0 License by Darrell Farkas