Not all who appear to be Christians are.

Not all who appear to be Christians are.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
             Matthew 7:15-23.
I know to many people outside the Christian community a Christian, is a Christian is a Christian.
They see someone in the media claiming to be the Christian and quoting from the Bible.
They make claims that on the surface look legitimate enough but are really truths twisted to suit their own needs.
I’ve heard one so called Christian evangelist say that God was going to kill all homosexuals in America. What garbage.
There are others out there simply to line their pockets by misquoting scripture to have people send them money.
The Bible warns against such people. These are people that give honest legitimate pastors and evangelist, not to mention the church a bad name.
Sadly people who do not go to church have no way of knowing who is honest and who is not.
That’s why it is important for Christians to speak out against the frauds and charlatans out their.
That is why I would say to Christian and none Christian alike to question anyone claiming to be a servant of God.
Check them out on the internet.
Take time to read the Bible passages that the person is speaking about. And not just the passages but the chapters around it.
Make sure they are not taking things out of context.
Question especially outrageous claims and never, never give money to any ministry that you are not sure of.
Go as far as asking them to send you an accounting of where the money they receive is being used.
If they don’t want to do so, don’t give them a penny.
Ultimately God will hold all those who misrepresent him to account.
There will be many who are in ministry today that will stand before God and hear the words,  ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Until that time however it is up to honest people within the church especially to hold every minister, evangelist and teacher of the Bible to account.