|
continuation...
Did you notice how this prophecy is laden with reminders and warnings to those who want to be worthy in the eyes of God? It made reference to greedy dogs, which never find contentment. No matter how much you give them, they just couldn’t have enough.
Unfortunately, the dogs that are being referred to in those verses are the pastors … the religious leaders … the preachers who are incapable of understanding. They are the pastors who have turned to their own way; everyone for his own gain. They are only after personal gains. Let us find out how our Lord Jesus Christ introduced those greedy dogs. John 10:1 says—
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”
That is how Christ introduced them. Those who climb up by some other way … those who walk on their own way are bandits and thieves. And the prophecy tells us that many of their kind shall appear in our time. So, beware! There are greedy dogs that lurk in our lives.
Perhaps, you may ask, With what things are these greedy dogs cannot find contentment? In what particular aspect are they incapable of finding satisfaction? This is what Ecclesiastes 5:10 says—
“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.”
Remember what Isaiah 56:11 says?
“… they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain.”
This time Ecclesiastes 5:10 says—
“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver.”
In what things are they not satisfied? It is in money! That is why, if you have noticed, if you are going to feed your pastor of the literal (or the material) food, he will surely get full. But when it comes to money and donations, he will never have enough! He will keep on asking for more. Even if you give him donations everyday … even if you’ve given him all your money … even if he had already become millionaires and billionaires, he will still accept your donations. This is something that that cannot be denied. And this is the primary reason why they have turned to their own way. And what did they do when they have turned to their own way? This is what Romans 10:2-3 says—
“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
According to these verses, the ignorant pastors, indeed, display a zeal of God. However, they do it the wrong way. T hey established their own righteousness; we can also say that they have also built their own churches, or religions. But, we must always bear in mind that they did those only because of money. Therefore, if we are really seeking for the truth, please, consider the manner the Bible wants us to do it. I John 4:1 says—
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
This statement from St. John is not meant to discredit other people. He did not mean to malign or destroy anyone. He was simply being honest in telling the actual scenario during his time. During the time of St. John, there already appeared many false prophets and false teachers. That is why, he has admonished the early Christians not to believe every spirit. Instead, they must try the spirits whether they are of God. And when he said, “try” (the spirits), he meant that, we must make a thorough scrutiny and examination of those spirits for us to know who among them is of God.
And we must not feel hopeless, because when John told us to try the spirits whether they are of God, it implies that there are really spirits that are of God! However, the men of God are rare; they are not common. What is common are the false preachers, who succeed in deceiving the hearts of the simple thru their good words and fair speeches. But let us take heed at the advice of St. John. Let us try the spirits.
|
|
|
Bible
The
Way to Salvation
