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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
PART 4 - JESUS' MINISTRY DURING HIS JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM (Luke 9:51 - 19:27)
11. Christ's Warning to His Disciples (Luke 12:1-12)
LUKE 12:01-03
1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
Lying is a grave sin, and hypocrisy is its firstborn daughter. When someone thinks something in his heart, but at the same time speaks the opposite, pretending kindness and compassion toward his enemy whom he intends to destroy, he commits the mother of all sins. And when a man pretends to be careful to obey God’s commandments, showing out-ward piety, but remains within himself impure, deceitful and money-loving, he certainly comes under the condemnation of God. The believer has also to beware of hypocrisy lest he believes within himself, yet denies his Lord with his mouth, saying as Peter said in his temptation, “I do not know this man.”
So beware of hypocrisy, for all your concealed thoughts backbiting whisperings and aggressive acts will certainly appear on the Last Day, and sometimes in this world. At that time you will be ashamed, for over all, it will appear that your hypocrisy affected others and made them deceitful. Hypocrisy enters into all areas of life, as leaven leavens the whole lump. A hypocrite hurts not only himself, but also hurts others. He hurts society, and is directly responsible for harming others, despite his self-righteous appearance.
LUKE 12:04-09
4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 8 Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
Christ strives strongly against the spirit of hypocrisy among believers. When you intend to guide a person to Christ, do not speak to him about many things, but confess your faith humbly, and testify to God’s salvation, guided by the Holy Spirit, so that your methods should not appear as trickery. Say to your friends, “Christ redeemed me and saved you too. Accept this or reject it. However, the Lord is living, and he loves you.”
Do not be afraid of any man, and if you became afraid of any man, look to God who is greater than all his creatures. The important thing is not our earthly life, but our being in Christ. Your everlasting life attested by the Holy Spirit poured in your heart will not die if you abide in the truth. So choose to die in your body rather than deny Christ, for judgment is certainly coming, and the examination of your confession is coming upon you. Christ the Savior is prepared to recognize himself as your brother, Lord, and Redeemer, and to cover and blot out all your transgressions, but he will not support you if you deny him on earth, and do not tell others about him. Your witness to Christ shows the degree of your love and faith.
Let us not forget that Christ speaks to his followers and not to unbelievers about falling into hell. Those who know God, and fear men rather than God, will be destroyed. God’s holiness is like a dissecting knife which cuts off all the liars out of his kingdom, destroys the hypocrites among his followers, and casts them into hell which is not an image but reality, but truth. Christ commands us to fear God, lest we sin. Moreover, he commands us to trust God as children trust their father. He accepts those who confess Christ and his salvation. Your heavenly Father is the Omniscient God who knows your secret thoughts, and the number of the hairs on your head. If small wild birds of little worth are known to him and numbered, how much more would he love and care for you of little faith, if you confessed him in public, and were in harmony with his will so that men should be saved and brought to the knowledge of the truth. Ask that you may find out the true ways of preaching, stop your superficial enthusiasm, and serve your Lord in lowliness of spirit, for Jesus is living, and he instructs you in his love.
LUKE 12:10-12
10 “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. 11 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
If a believer willfully denied his Savior, and blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, when he had tasted the sweetness of his life, and already felt the love of God, then this man would intentionally become separated from God, having no forgiveness after that. All sins are forgivable except tenacious disobedience against the gentle drawing of the Holy Spirit. Such obstinacy which is of the spirit of hell, leads the unbeliever into extremity until he blasphemes against God, his Father, Savior, and Comforter to such an extent that he wishes to destroy him. Thus he who resorts to the enemy and cooperates with him against God condemns himself.
But he who responds to God’s faithfulness, and attributes it to God himself, in the midst of persecution and torture, experiences the authority of the Holy Spirit who inspires the meek with the witness of God’s wisdom, and supports the lowly with the power of Christ. Felix the Roman ruler became frightened of the prisoner Paul when the latter announced Christ’s triumph before him. The Holy Bible is overflowing with wonderful testimonies of simple believers, such as Peter, John, and Stephen, anointed with the Spirit. They shook the prominent people of their nation who judged them by their powerful testimonies.
You are not a dangerous man led to the king or tribunal. But your school, family, or workshop is like a legislative council, which examines you. So ask your Lord to support your weakness with the Holy Spirit. He inspires you, with the piercing words based on truth and love, to win some who reject Christ to accept his salvation. Be aware that you are Christ’s representative in this evil world. Your Lord is watching you, and his power continues in you; so pray, speak, and do not keep silent. Your Lord is responsible for you. If you work hard for him he will preserve you, guide you, and favorably sustain you.
PRAYER: O Lord, you know my cowardliness, and weakness. Please reveal your glory in the gospel to me that I may see you at all times, love you, and witness to you with wisdom, so that many should be saved, and should not say that I am a hypocrite, deceitful, or unprofitable on the Day of Judgment for having concealed your grace from them. I thank you because you know my daily doings and needs.
QUESTION 85: Why does Christ consider those who do not confess his name as hypocrites among the believers?