All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: But the sheep did not hear them Jn10:8 What made Abraham so pleasing to God was his faith. He believed what God said. He lived by faith. If he were here he would tell you to believe what God said too. Thieves and robbers, on the other hand, are those who preach and live by making excuses for not reaching the place God has put forth in scripture. Contrary to sheep are the goats, those who are in the church who believe the devil’s lies: people who believe that the blessing of Abraham is unattainable; people who believe that righteousness and beatific qualities are mere platitudes; people who believe that God’s promises are just not plausible. Thieves and robbers are those who preach salvation by Law and the goats are those who accept their word over the word of God. Rather than live by faith, thieves and robbers, make excuses for themselves looking to their nature and not to the power of God and the goats follow suit. A preacher or a teacher can only take you as far as they have come themselves. Unless they have experienced the blessing and are righteous they cannot take you to the place God has promised. That is why Jesus says “all” who came before me are thieves and robbers. No matter how far they may have appeared to come, if they have not received the blessing, there is still work to be done. Even if they know the word of God, even if they have experienced some success through faith and prayer and fasting, if they choose to accept anything less than what God has said, and preach excuses, live by excuses, accept sin in their lives because they are human, those people who appear to be shepherds of the sheep, are thieves and robbers. Abraham did not look at his nature. He did not make excuses. I have seen people with many gifts fail to achieve the blessing, people subject to sickness, disease, lack, accidents, and spiritual weights. Rather than repenting for not living up to the word of God, rather than running faster to cross the finish line first, rather than forgoing immediate pleasure for greater reward, they become thieves and robbers. Faith becomes religion. Faith becomes Law. They become double-minded. They get tossed about like waves driven by the wind and their flock, follow right behind. They are content with numbers and statistics and all suffer for it. The blind shall lead the blind and both fall in the ditch. If you are a sheep, you will not hear the voice of the thief. If you are a sheep, you will not make excuses for your lack in nature. If you are a sheep, you will enter the door which is Christ and go in and out and find pasture. Are you are child of Abraham or a child of the devil? Who are you listening to? How far do you want to go? Those are the questions and nobody can answer them but you. Amen |