The following article will show you what Jesus and the Holy Bible specifically say...
- about hypocrisy and religious hypocrites
- about what love truly is
- about the 3 most important commandments of all, and
- about vipers and wolves.
2 Sections of Scripture + 3 Commandments = 1 'Revelation'
Matthew 22:37-39 says:
"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. and the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”
And
John 13:34-35 says:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
How many 'religious' folks around you would you say are hypocritical, mean, judgmental people -- while professing Christianity?
In the Holy Bible, Jesus calls religious stuck-ups 'Vipers' (Matthew 12:34, 23:33). John the Baptist called them vipers, too (Matthew 3:7).
Jesus knows they claim to know God, but do not. These were many of the religious leaders of his day.
(
Actually, all of chapter 33 in the Book of Matthew talks of hypocrisy. I recommend reading it.)
Today, many are still the religious leaders of our day. Christians in name only. Not true Christ-followers. Not Christ worshippers.
2 Points to Ponder
1) As usual, the world has it twisted, as to what it tells us the bible supposedly says. The Holy Bible specifically says we are NOT to judge unbelievers, but are to judge other Christians, other believers -- holding them accountable (1 Corinthians 5, specifically 5:12).
2) We are to 'love one-another.' Many 'Christians' fight over colors of carpet and walk away from each other in disgust because they didn't get their way. Selfish, not selfless. Religion is dead -- Christ lives!
Only God knows for sure if someone is truly given into Christ's hand by God, for salvation. We won’t always know. But as far as 'fruits of the Spirit' go, non-believers show themselves as selfish more than selfless, hateful more than loving.
It is a fact shown in scripture, that Jesus did know that some of the religious leaders of the day -- who professed to know and speak for God -- did not truly love God, and did not know God.
Jesus constantly confronted such 'Vipers,' as shown in the Gospels (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
It's where the cliche comes from -- 'actions speak louder than words.' God says in His word, the Holy Bible, that our love for Him will ‘bear fruit’ ((Matthew 7:16, 7:18, 12:33, John 15:2, 15:4, 15:8)).
Love one another? Love your neighbor as yourself? Check out 1 Corinthians 13 to find out what Love truly is. Here's part of it:
1 Cor 13:4-7 says:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Admittedly, true Christ-followers still fail with many of these on a regular basis. But God continues growing us, day-by-day (Philippians 1:6).
We still fall prey to our human emotions which too often overpower common sense and rationale. This does not mean we are not saved. It shows throughout scripture that God continues growing us throughout our lives.
Even the Apostles who walked with Christ suffered various forms of ignorance. We're human.
Still, Jesus himself said plainly that there are definitely those in religious leadership, claiming to know the way to God, who are nothing more than vipers. We are also warned in scripture to be wary of wolves in our midst (Matthew 7:15, Acts 20:29).
Heart Vs. Head
So although some of those hypocritical, mean, judgmental types may well be saved, may well be Christ's and simply have a long way to go before they could be considered to be, 'like Christ' ... there are definitely those who are faking it.
Which are you?
Do you truly know Christ? Or merely know 'of' Him? Is He in your heart -- or only in your head?
Please, contemplate this. Do not end up as one to whom Christ says what he warns us of in Matthew chapter 7.
Matt 7:21-23 says:
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, please, help us. Grab hold of each of us, Lord, starting today. Know us, Jesus -- and help us to know you more intimately, more deeply.
Soften our hearts Lord, and sharpen our minds with your Godly wisdom. Wisdom that overpowers our upbringing, our influences, our biases -- our 'street smarts.' Cast out our hearts of stone now, today -- and give us hearts of flesh, filled with your Holy Spirit.
Father, thank You for Jesus. Thank You for Your son, for our Lord -- for rising him up again from the dead. Thank You for forgiving us our sins, through Christ. In His name we ask your forgiveness, Father.
Please, give us into His hands. We know that those You give Him, Jesus never lets go. It's in Jesus' name we pray to you, Father. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.
