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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Why was the man speechless? | Matt 22:11 | Reformer Joe | 29268 | ||
I think it is fair to make a connection between this and the parable of the soils to a certain extent. I think a better connection would be to the wheat and the tares which Jesus refers to in Matthew 13:24-30. There are false brethren in our churches, and those who are in the visible church who think that they are bound for Heaven because they dwell among God's people, just like the man at the wedding feast. Jesus constantly points out that it is not the company one keeps which makes him one of them, but rather the work of God in his heart. Jesus points this out to the Pharisees in John 8 when he tells the Pharisees that they are not children of Abraham, but rather children of the devil. Of course, they were descended from Abraham, so what is Christ pointing out here? That one's birth does not make one an heir to the promise God gave to Abraham. John the Baptist tells the Pharisees the same thing in Matthew 3 when he tells the Pharisees and Sadducees that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from the very stones around them. I think the clearest summation of the truths found in these parables is in this passage. Read it and examine yourselves to see if you are truly possessing faith in Christ's work alone for your salvation and not in your own goodness or "good works": '"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'"' --Matthew 7:21-23 Make sure that God has transformed you into a tree that is producing good fruit by His Spirit. It is true that we will know people by their fruits (works), but it is the tree itself which needs to be changed. And that is the work of God. --Joe! |
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2 | Why was the man speechless? | Matt 22:11 | Emmaus | 29273 | ||
Joe, I would agree with you that the analogy of the wheat and the tares is also helpful in this discussion and may be an even better comparison for the circumstances, but probably neither are perfect. But that is the difficulty with metaphors. And Ed raises the interesting difference between Matthew, in which the guest are invited and Luke 14:15 when the quested are compelled or made to come. But there is a difference in Luke. There no one is cast out. In Matthew it also says the good and the bad together were called in. But in Luke it is the poor, blind,crippled and lame; those who cannot fail to reconize their condition and the absolute necessity of a savior. Emmaus |
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3 | Why was the man speechless? | Matt 22:11 | rbt56 | 29332 | ||
Joe and Emmaus, I am afraid that this still boils down for some of us who are told to be sure of their salvation, but are still afraid of their works. Will Jesus greet us by saying "I never knew you." Will we end up in heaven only to be cast out by the King himself(and not very lovingly I might add). I have always felt the work of the Spirit in my heart and life since I invited Jesus to be my Lord. My life has changed, often like Chuck Swindoll says, 2 steps forward, one step back...although sometimes vice-versa. Without boring you with the 32 years since that day, I am suddenly empty. And I can testify that this is not an aberation of mid-life. There has to be some other concrete way to know, to help others know. I'm just tired of this "drifting" feeling. Thanks for the dialog. Peace |
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4 | Why was the man speechless? | Matt 22:11 | Reformer Joe | 29343 | ||
Well, nothing is more concrete than what Scripture reveals. Have you spoken to others in your congregation (elders in particular) about what you are feeling? If you are a member of a biblically-functioning church, the task of the elders is to shepherd you. There could be a lot of reasons for an "empty" feeling, and me not knowing you personally and intimately makes me pretty handicapped in giving you wise counsel here. I was just curious as to what your local church has said in regard to your personal crisis... --Joe! |
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