Discerning Sheep from Goats

 “And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:” -Matthew 25:32.

Jesus told us that the way of salvation is narrow, and FEW will find it; it has always been narrow (Matthew 7:13,14), but how much more so at this end time in history? Why is it so often said that all who attend church are saved? How is it that all who die are now in Heaven? If the Bible is true, and Jesus' words are true, when did the narrow way to salvation become so broad?

The discomfort at the thought of Hell, in part, has led to these errors in judgment. But I've little doubt that the greater influence here is that people are trying to be inoffensive with one another, loving the praise of men more than God, and so they have changed key parts of the truth into lies.

Haven't we been warned about false prophets & teachers (Matthew 24:24, 2 Peter 2)? Wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15)? Tares among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30,37-40)? Seeds from the sower (Luke 8:11-14)? A form of godliness that denies Him (2 Timothy 3:5)? Satan as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)? This is another area of study that churches avoid, but one that we need now more than ever. We have to get past our universal acceptance of everyone, and measure them by the standard of God's Word.

Not everyone who claims to be a Christian actually is one, and we need to be discerning. It will protect us spiritually, and show us how to minister in the situation. Perhaps it can also help the deceived false brother or sister, should they not realize the error they've fallen into. But we can also help others to avoid bad company. This is all a part of the watching in the last days that Jesus told us to do (Mark 13:33-37). The following are some of the “clues” I look for to discern whether or not a professing Christian is actually born-again (John 3:3); handling the Word of God. Believers love the Word, and seek to learn & follow the Word. In short, they revere it, for it is their life (Luke 4:4). False believers will be offended when you bring the Bible into your reasoning, and will have plenty of self-justification for their actions. False pastors may directly contradict the written Word. Following men's teachings. When stating their position on things, many false believers will refer to what certain teachers have to say, rather than quoting directly from the Bible themselves, or saying what the Holy Spirit has shown them. Thus they are following men, not the Lord. Placing tradition above obedience. See Mark 7:9. When a person is in Christ, they become a new creature, and old things pass away (2 Corinthians 5:17); these, however, are holding onto the old lifestyle. They haven't fled sin, they justify it. There is much talk of “accepting” Jesus. All of the world will accept Jesus, but who obeys Him?

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” -Philippians 2:10,11. There is little talk, if any, of a reformed life.

REPENTANCE for SIN. In my opinion, the false convert never had a good first repentance toward God. Christians need repentance at points throughout life, because no one is perfect, even after salvation; but many false converts have never addressed sin in any meaningful way.

If repentance is mentioned at all for the new convert, it is typically in the lightest way, and little if any conscience is aroused toward previous wicked works. They do not understand that they are separated from God by their sin, and there is NO good in them. The pastor will assure them of God's love, tell them God has a plan for them, etc. The “convert” will still think he is a good person (Mark 10:18), that “we all make mistakes,” and there are plenty of people worse than him. If you want to find out the validity of their repentance, ask what specific sins they have repented of. This will tell you if what they did was an obligatory gesture of a general nature (such as, “God, please forgive all my sins”), or if they may really have understood that they have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Love of the world. When you meet a professed Christian with a great love for the world and the things in it, you'd be right to question their real love for God; yet I know of those who are just like that! Jesus told us not to love our lives here (John 12:25), but to forsake all we have (Luke 14:33). Many profess Christ, but they seem to think He died to make us prosper in this world-not to save them from Hell! These have also likely not had a good first repentance, for they never saw the true nature of their need for the cross. They also have no grasp on the evil nature of this sin-fallen world.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” -I John 2:15,16.

Brethren, we must do our best to believe and practice the entire Word of God. In these last hours, false teachers are painting a false picture of a rosy, but worldly Christian life. We cannot serve God and mammon! These have been lured into a false faith that will leave them eternally damned. It is up to us to watch, recognize the deceit, and help them to find the truth. If we don't do this, who will?

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” -2 Timothy 4:3,4.

Here is a link to my YouTube video on this subject https://youtu.be/QPjmI6x3QL0