All Those Who Believe…

In ancient times as well as this modern day, there are three types of believers. We see them all in the opening passages of Matthew’s gospel. “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” (Matthew 2:1-3, ESV).

Now the wise men believed the truth of this prophecy, but so did Herod. The wise men had faith in the fulfillment of Scripture that drove them into the unknown in order to worship at the feet of this king. True believers sacrifice and go forward into the unknown, following God’s Word and trusting that he is both real and worthy of worship. They’re so intent on obeying that they will risk danger with powers of this world. 

Herod believed the Scriptures just enough to be afraid and take desperate, violent action to protect the throne in his own life. There are many people like him, who recognize that Jesus is the proper Lord of their lives but would rather fight him for that throne in their hearts. They hurt others as they viciously shake their fist at heaven. 

A third kind of person is also in this passage: It’s the people of Jerusalem who were troubled with Herod. These are the people who recognize Jesus, but they don’t want to go against the worldly authorities around them in order to follow Christ. They just want to have peace with the godless men over them, so they believe Jesus is the Savior, but they don’t dare follow him to the point of risking conflict with evil rulers. 

There is no such thing as neutrality when it comes to Christ. Jesus himself said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30). We only have an issue with this if we do not recognize a vital reality: a person who is made for the glory and worship of God failing to do so is engaged in the worst kind of rebellion that is punishable by death.

Let’s approach God like the wise men who read the scriptures and were moved to obedience and worship. 

^{Joshua West serves as the Pastors Network Director at World Challenge helping equip and empower pastors all over the world. Joshua’s desire is to raise up ministers who will correctly and boldly preach the Word with passion and integrity. The point of all his work and writings is to preach the gospel, glorify God and to teach sound doctrine.}