Whoever does not gather with me, scatters...
Autor: Anderson Rodrigues | Publicado: 2017-01-28T18:41:00-08:00


Today I going to write
exclusively to Christians. However, if you are not one, you can still extract some
important lessons from it.







There are only two types of
Christians. Those who name themselves Christians and those who are named Christians
by others. The first ones are conducting their lives in discordance with their
belief, however they believe they are believers. The second ones, because of
the way they are conducting their lives, they are recognized as true believers.



In fact, there’s no way to be in
a middle point. You are either a Christian or not. What I would like to
emphasize is the great problem the first category are comprehensively causing
in our current time. 



Christians have been mocked,
ridicule, and I would partially agree with what Mahatma Gandhi said, “I like
your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your
Christ.” Paul, when addressing to hypocrite men, severely affirmed by quoting
Isaiah and Ezekiel, “As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles
because of you.”



In this pluralistic society, one
needs firmly to decide what he really is and whom he is really serving. 



According to Christ Jesus, the
own name the Christians bear, there are some intrinsic characteristics of a
true believer. By living the opposite way, a person - who thinks to be a
Christian - will not only be unfruitful, but also a trouble causer. It is the
case of the soldier, who carries a gun without knowing to where he should aim.
He can shoot his own fellows, as when he not ends shooting himself. 



I have seen with my own eyes and
have experienced many times the disgusting moments when one auto called
Christian start exposing his own distorted ideas, having no knowledge of
Christianity at all, denigrating the whole teaching of Jesus in the presence of
many. Particularly here in America, because one goes a single morning to a
Church near home, have some meals with Christians fellows, and sing one or two
songs by heart, he thinks his duty with God is done, and all his thoughts and
ideas are in a good shape. His correct political view do not allow people to
engage in Christian conversations, since it is not morally right and can be
detrimental to people of other faiths. He keeps his faith private, his answers
are never based on God’s word, his ways are always determined by his own will,
the path chosen to walk is based on success and fame, the direction he gives to
his family is based on money, and the testimony he gives is about materialism
and consumerism.




Some of the characteristics of a
true Christian are the capability of demonstrate love even when persecuted.
Having the right word for the right hour to the right person. Solving complex
problems with simplicity. Being the salt and light in an insipid and dark world.
Gathering together people to God by his sincere testimony and love. Faithfully
representing the one who only loved, giving his life for the sake of many.
Unless one incorporate the words of Jesus, putting them into practice, he
cannot be called Christian. Not hearing the word is a great problem, but
hearing and not putting in practice is even worse. 





Let’s see what Jesus said about
this particular matter. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses
its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for
anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Matthew 5:13. Again
I repeat, I have seen with my own eyes people being trampled by others, serving
worldliness interest with all their strength, but not bringing anything different
to help lives. Either you are the one who brings difference or you are the same
insipid person who just talks about meaningless and futile subjects, without
bringing any hope to this world. 



It may sound harsh, but Jesus was
never imploring people to follow him. He gives both the unique salvation by
grace and the exigencies of being an obedient son, whose greatest challenge is
to love. Jesus was never imploring people to follow him, just to have a great
number. By the way, he was also making the statements by which one could much
more easily deny him and stop following him them to really make a commitment. He
himself said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not
gather with me scatters.” Luke 11:23



Some people, instead of
attracting others by their way of life are doing the very opposite, restraining
them for their bad example and incoherent life. The one who affirms something
and never demonstrates in practical ways is a hypocrite, having the mind
disconnected from the heart. Let’s also remember that Jesus always condemned
the hypocrites. 



I also called your attention to
the fact that, if you, being a Christian, but not living in conformity with it,
are worse than someone who has never heard about it. “If anyone, then, knows
the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17.
Moreover, if someone shrink back, he twice worse than the one who never knew
about it. “Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A
sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.””1 Peter 2:22, and “But
my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who
shrinks back.” Hebrews 10:38. Do not neglect your calling! Give your best
through obedience to God, and you will live the best of your days by bearing
fruits. 





Notwithstanding the problem of
being a problem to others, the one who lives by this controversial way will end
up being destroyed. For “the ax is already at the root of the trees, and every
tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the
fire.” Luke 3:9. It’s good to consider the costs when making the decision to
follow Christ. Nevertheless, remember, that by sharing in his sufferings we
will also share in his glory (Romans 8:17). There’s trials, battles,
persecution, hardships and troubles when living as Christ commanded us, especially
because the world hates us. As Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in
mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18. However, it is not the best life we
can live, it is the only one. We were called to do good works, not aiming to be
justified by them, but for obedience to the one who gave his life to us and
wants us to give our lives to our brothers. Also reinforcing, “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.” Matthew 7:19-20



One last thing. When looking back
into history, names as Friedrich Nietzsche, whose father and both grandfathers
were minister, and even Charles Darwin, who left behind any belief in God to
pursue their own answers, had a great [negative] impact in our society.
Philosophical and ideological barriers were lifted up, bringing confusion and
discussions without end. With regard to ideologies, those who once were considered
to be Christians, ended up bringing profound problems to new generations, by
bringing a mixture of trues and lies, affirming them to be absolutes, at the
same time denying absolutes and praising what is relative. Jesus teachings are
not relatives, as his truth is not either. Either you are a son of God who will
cooperate in the growing of his Kingdom, or you are the opposite, who will just
be a hindrance to the work of God, assuming the risk to be cut off earlier in
life.




To be a Christian is to be
Christ. Evaluate your life sincerely through the lenses of the Bible. Look
yourself on the mirror. If you don’t see Christ, reevaluate your belief. You
may be not a Christian at all. What fruits are you producing? Are they good? “Enter
through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads
to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the
road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”