(Mat 13:30) Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Ever wondered why, in the parable, the Lord said 'gather ye together first the tares' ?
This is where some knowledge of Bible times and customs come in handy. It is also where a little serious study yields the fruit and desired result of the Lord!
According to research the tares (weeds) is of a form known as darnel which resembles wheat in all of its early stages so as to make it difficult to distinguish from the genuine plant. However as it reaches maturity the grain produced is black and so is distinguished from the true grain of wheat. It is also said to be lighter than the regular grain so that as the fruit in both mature the heavier wheat will bend while the lighter weed stand out proudly above the wheat making it easier to identify and remove
With this knowledge the parable takes on more significance! It is generally difficult to identify counterfeit Christianity until the fruit is produced…you know…by their fruits you shall know them?!... Just as the darnel with its color and weight results in its identification so the false Christian's true colors and personality are exhibited as they go on display!
I see here a picture of fruitful saints of God bowed in humility and submission quietly producing for the Lord, while the proud and loud counterfeit stands out in an obnoxious display of self! The darnel is also said to be poisonous resulting in dizziness, convulsions vomiting and even death.
How often have we not been fooled by a persons flair and flamboyance as they subtly present a 'gospel' that ultimately glorifies not the CHRIST but the person. How many of supposedly genuine 'God's servants' ultimately reveal themselves by their fruit. I cannot help but speculate about what would have been the opinion of the apostle Paul if he was alive on earth today! I doubt he would have subscribed to being a superstar because he would have been too busy proclaiming Jesus rather than himself! I really cannot see the apostle Paul or any other of the apostles for that matter selling tickets for you to go and hear them speak! It's is hard for me to visualize these giants of old living it up in lifestyles of the rich and the famous on monies begged, cajoled and manipulated out of poor little old ladies and others who are struggling to survive… all in the name of Jesus. Yeah these 'darnel' stand out tall and proud above the humble saints of God and, in order to fuel their jets and warm their swimming pools, think nothing of threatening the saints with curses and doom unless they empty their pockets.
Beloved the Lord has made it very easy for us to detect the false…May He also help us to remain humble in His presence and quietly produce fruit to His honor and glory…!
