Dear Explorer,
Read Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus says He's explaining what His new Kingdom will be like or what it would be like to be a follower of His. Here's another parable based on farming. You need to know that when a farmer harvested his crop, he had two uses for it: feed and seed. First, it was to provide food for the coming year. But he also saved a part of it for seed for next year's crop.
If you harvest both the wheat and the weeds (tares) together – then your “seed” for next year would be filled with weeds and ruin next year's crop and your “feed” for this year would be ruined because the weed seeds mixed in would make the flour inedible and possibly poisonous.
So, let's look at what Jesus is teaching.
Who is the “man” sowing the good seeds?
Who is the enemy?
What does the enemy do?
What did the servants suggest doing?
Why did the farmer say “No” to that idea?
What did He say He would do to take care of the problem?
Read Matthew 13:36-43
So, what does this mean to us today?
There will be people in our churches or small groups or your group of friends who are not followers of Jesus. We mustn't try to dig them up or get rid of them. We need to focus on our own responsibilities, knowing that God will take care of them at the judgment. Any attempt to remove them and “purify” the group will result in much hurt and destruction of tender plants. We shouldn't focus on digging out the weeds – but focus on fertilizing and cultivating the good seeds and let God deal with the weeds.
But that brings up another question. Did Jesus believe in Hell?
Yes. He apparently believed in a literal, real, Hell and mentioned it several times in His recorded teachings. Here's the references if you want to look them up. But remember, this is NOT God's plan or desire for you. That's why He sent Jesus to be your Messiah! It is your choice.
Matthew 5:22
Matthew 5:29
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 13:40-42
Matthew 13:49-50
Matthew 18:8-9
Mark 9:43-49
Luke 16:23-31
In His service, dale
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