Several years ago, I was in Costa Rice with a group of students for an educational eco-tour of the country. It was an amazing experience that included everything from sight-seeing the sulfuric lakes inside a volcano to swimming with a type of piranha in a lake near an active volcano. We saw wild capuchin monkeys, delinquent beach racoons, and even a family of hungry iguanas. The plant life was beautiful, and our group was able to explore everything from the central rain forest to the beautiful beaches of the Manuel Antonio National Park. We learned so much, but I remember one thing that just really stood out to me for some reason. Did you know that 2-toed sloths and 3-toed sloths are from two different families of animals? I'm amazed at how two animals that are so incredibly similar can be from a totally different species, genus, and family. The same degree of classification that separates a lion from a seal separates a 2-toed from a 3-toed sloth. That is "wild" to me - pun ashamedly intended.
Okay, I'll stop the science lesson there, but that experience in Costa Rica has been on my mind a good bit today. And I keep thinking about those sloths and how much they look alike, but how different they really are. It soberly reminds me of the analogy of the wheat and tares mentioned in Scripture. They look so similar, yet are vastly different. In order to tell them apart you have to know what "fruit" or characteristics should be present. If we hop back to the science lesson, 3-toed sloths eat only leaves, whereas the 2-toed sloths will occasionally also eat animal protein. Because of that extra protein in their diet, the 2-toed sloths are faster than 3-toed ones. In Scripture, the wheat is what you want to harvest - the useful, nutritious crop. In the same way the tares look just like unripened wheat stalks; the only different is that the tares do not bare fruit.
In the American Church, and in other areas, it seems we have lost the delicate art of discerning and teaching the difference between the proclaimers and the remnant of true believers. Being a Christ follower is not an intellectual recognition and assent of who Christ is, but it is a life altering, heart changing submission and belonging to Jesus. In a world where we have so diligently pushed the ideas of free-grace and anti-works theology, many have sadly forgotten that true relationship with Jesus will always be evidenced by sincere fruit. Scripture has been clear that while salvation is not by works, our faith is proven by them. We demonstrate our faith by our works and we are to be known by our fruit, not our confession.
Paul said, "to live is Christ, to die is gain." This sentiment boldly encompasses the difference between the wheat and the tares of the Church. For those in Christ, we claim to know nothing but Him crucified. In a day and age where political polarity and biblical illiteracy reigns, we must remember that our home is not this world. So, our endeavors and passions must always be heavenward. On the day of judgement, Scripture says we will be asked more about how we cared of the least among us, than on our political affiliation, our election choice, or our Sunday morning attendance record. Jesus said to the tares (those proclaimers who deceive themselves), "When I was hungry, you gave me nothing to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and sojourner, and you did not invite me in. I was naked and you did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison, and you did not visit me." And, they will go away into eternal punishment.
Lord, let us with sober thinking and with fear and trembling examine our lives to see that we are indeed in the faith. Open our eyes to the image bearers around us who need our care and our focus. Forgive our apathy and our worldly distractions, forgive our carnal and selfish ambitions. Teach us to love like you, and to live a life that testifies to your mercy and your grace. Give us a passion for the orphan and widow, the poor and the outcasts. Let us love them according to your commands, and let us look first to their interest before to our own. Let us humble ourselves in prayer and in obedience to your work. And, let us hunger fervently for our heavenly home. In Jesus name I ask these things on behalf of your Church and your people.
Grace and peace, friends.
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