The Enticement to Go the Wrong Way

Dear Brethren,

As we come closer and closer to the return of Jesus Christ, we see a sorting out of the brethren taking place.  We know that God desires that we be in the unity of the Body, and the Spirit, and the Faith.  What we see happening more and more, however, is separation - not unity.  Jesus Christ knew it would be like this:  "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"  (Luke 18:8)

Are we able to discern when it is that God is separating the wheat from the tares, and when it is that God is protecting us from the end-time wolves who prey on the innocent brethren?  God warns us to beware of those deceitful people who pretend to represent God, "...which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  You shall know them by their fruits."  (Matthew 7:15-16)   What fruits?

Brethren, are we able to discern Godly fruit?  Deceitful workers, and false ministers transform themselves into many different disguises - they may even appear as the apostles of Christ. (2Corinthians 11:13)  Are all wolves in the ministry?  Or, can laymen be wolves, too?  Are all wolves outside the church?  Do some have positions of church authority - like "Diotrephes, who loved to have the preeminence among them."  (3John 1:9)

Why are some brethren prone to an ungodly seduction?  Why are they enticed to go the wrong way?  John tells us why some choose wrong instead of right - why they are no longer a part of God's true fellowship.  "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."  (1John 2:19) 

It is God who tells us to make a distinction between the Godly and the ungodly.  If someone or something becomes ungodly, we must separate ourselves from it or them.  "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing."  (2Corinthians 6:17)  This is not a new phenomenon in the Church of God.  God's people have always had to choose.

The apostle Paul was plagued by false brethren and false teachers with lying accusations.  "Because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage."  (Galatians 2:4)  "...in perils among false brethren."  (2Corinthians 11:26)

The enticement to go the wrong way can be very strong and deceitful.  King Solomon's words to his children were profitable - in the same way that God's instructions to us are life-saving.  "Hear me now therefore, O you children, and depart not from the words of my mouth... And you mourn at the last, when your flesh and your body are consumed,  And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;  And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!  I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly... For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.  His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.  He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray."   (Proverbs 5)

***

Sermon:

"Enticement to Go the Wrong Way"