The Counterfeit Gospel part 3

In this section we will examine a couple of Jesus parables. He spoke in parables almost exclusively to the crowds and then usually explained their meaning to His disciples. The reason for this was that the truth would be hidden except from those whose hearts hungered for truth whereas most people are looking for something to benefit them without any cost on their part.

As it was then so it is now in our day, nothing has changed, neither has God changed who has hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to babes, Matthew 11:25



In Matthew 13:44 Jesus told of a treasure which was hidden in a field. A man found it and rather than telling anyone about it he hid it more securely, and with joy went and sold everything that he possessed,

took the money and bought the property. So often this story is ignored or offered as an extreme example of committment to a cause and it is overlooked that Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like this. I would ask my readers to consider this question, "is it possible to be a Christian but not be in Christ's kingdom"? I believe a careful search of scripture would produce a definite "NO". The entire message in this parable is that of the necessity of giving up everything we hold dear to obtain something of infinitely greater value. Also it is said that the man did it with joy which means that he understood the value of what he was doing.



So often these days it is said that someone has "accepted Jesus" this is a sharp contrast to someone who deliberately pursues in order to obtain something. The parable does not say that someone offered the man a field with buried treasure in it and he accepted it but rather that he went to great lengths to secure something that he discovered and did not want to risk losing.

Another familiar parable is that of the sower found in Matthew 13:1-23
I invite the reader to use their bible and read the entire parable but here I will only focus on the "good soil" because please note that only the good soil produces anything at all. All other types of ground that the seed fell upon failed to produce anything that lasted. What good is salvation that does not last? The good soil is soil that has been prepared properly to receive seed and to nurture that seed to maturity. Such is the true Gospel. It is carefully presented to a heart that has been prepared with knowledge and understanding so that it has a chance to take root and go deep. Anything less is not acceptable. There's also much to be said about the quality of the seed that is planted since bad seed produces bad fruit and good seed produces good fruit.

Much more will be added later but we are preparing to go to celebrate Thanksgiving with our children in another city.

Comments or questions are always welcome either on this site or by email to acts2216@eoni.com