John 2:23-25 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. (24) But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people (25) and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
Very often we are told by people who claim they are wise and who insist we do what they say, that we should stop being so judgmental of others. That we need to believe the best about people – especially about those who profess to be Christians. We are told to never question a person’s claim to know Christ.
This is all wrong. We are to disregard this nonsense. Why? Because we are to be like Jesus, and as we see in the Scripture above, Jesus was quite judgmental.
Think about it. “Many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.” Wow! How wonderful. Preachers today would be announcing first thing Monday morning that masses of people got saved and baptized at their church on Sunday.
But not Jesus.
Jesus didn’t trust them. He didn’t throw Himself at them and believe their claims to have come to faith in Him. Jesus knew what was in man. He knew the evil that lurked there and how those evil hearts craved for signs. He knew that “faith” based on a sign was most likely not faith at all. It wouldn’t last. Like the seed in bad soil, it would soon wither and die and these “believers” would be screaming “Crucify Him!”
Jesus, didn’t trust people. He particularly didn’t trust people who claimed to be His followers – He took the tack “well, we will see. Time will tell.”
So if we are going to be like Jesus, this is the course we must take too. “Oh, I know he has repented of his sin. I’ve never seen anyone more repentant. He went forward last night at the altar call. You need to praise God and forgive him.” No. No, I think I will just wait this one out. I will take Jesus’ path on this one. Because I know what is in man.
Jer 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (10) “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Stormy
Excellent advice!
jessicanotadoormat
Too often , we as Christians are asked to overlook obvious indicators that a person has evil intentions. I cannot help but think of 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
This is a warning for Christians.
walkinginlight
“Faith based on a sign”. How very true this warning is. I have known several of these types in my Christian walk. I can tell you they threw nothing but rotten fruit and would do evil malicious things if they did not get their own way. No wonder Jesus said a evil and adulterous generation seeks a “sign.” I also have learned the hard way from many years ago, I never take someone at face value that they know the Lord. I sit back and observe for a very long time. If they are real there should be some discernible fruits of righteousness. Thank you Pastor Crippen.
MARANATHA!!!