Has anyone noticed that it's becoming very obvious who are the wheat and who are the tares? People used to get along better, even with those who disagreed with them. Not now. Here is my take. From what I have read, that is precisely what we should expect to happen based on the natural manifestation of the spiritual truth in the parable Jesus told. In other words, as we get closer to that actual "harvest" of the Church (aka the rapture), the distinction between the wheat (true blood-bought, Spirit regenerated, names-written-in-the-Lamb's-book-of-life believers) and the tares (the fakers, including the grace plus works crowd) will visibly show up in ways that up until that point in the harvest cycle were not visible, especially to the undiscerning eye. Now that we are so close to the harpazo/wheat harvest (Pentecost anyone?), we should totally expect to be able to see more and more clearly the tares distinctly manifesting themselves with characteristics that distinguish them from the true wheat. Sounds to me, Patricia, like that is exactly what you are observing. So true! But the Lord has final say in such matters! TR i remember probably 10 years ago having a realization that there was going to be less and less "on the fence" kind of thinking and behaving as far as following Jesus as the One true Way to right standing with the Father... i just think i was becoming more sensitive to the Holy Spirit and that He was about to be doing a lot of work on getting the Church ready to be Raptured...I think He's been doing in Believers what I think He has been doing in me ever since- refining... i think He's really been causing and allowing fiery trials to heat up more and more to burn off the hindering dross from those of us who trust Him enough to stay with Him thru it so that we would look forward to and will get to experience true joy and not shame at His soon coming... and I think that those who had only given a shallow nod to Christ, maybe an interest in some of His teachings when it feels good, but who never really accepted HIM- all of Him- God Himself-and humbly acknowledged their need of Him, began to leap from the fires...grasping and searching for anything but Him to save them from the discomfort of realization of their sin and weakness... i think, yes, it has been a sorting period of polarization and with each increasing birth pang, people either look to God and see the love in His eyes as He gently yet firmly holds onto us or they run in terror from the only true peace and security there is and instead find themselves numb and useless but won't let go of pride long enough to acknowledge the reason why and turn to their Creator our society has forgotten we were created FOR Him...He gives Himself for us, but this whole thing- this life stuff- it's actually not about us! don't be a showy weed that is replicating & spreading itself for it's own purpose and glory...be a vine attached to the Branch Who will produce HIS fruit in you - for HIS good pleasure AND for your good! be a part of the beautiful harvest to be presented by our High Priest by faith in God's grace! Great word! TR
