“What is wrong with Christianity is that it refrains from doing all those things that Christ commanded should be done.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
Is it possible to belong to a religion while completely ignoring the actual lifestyle of its founder? Friedrich Nietzsche, who was a God-hater and the son and grandson of Lutheran pastors, spent his life analyzing how institutions often dilute the radical messages they claim to protect.
Well, friends, I am here, in answer, to tell you the obvious.
One of the things that highly agitates me is when people who should know better take aim at the hypocrisies of those who call themselves Christians, but do not bear the fruit of a Christian.
For example, in Matthew 7:15-20, Scripture states (notice it starts by warning of the false), “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
Therefore, if “every tree is known by his own fruit” (Luke 6:44), how is this lesson to be more poignant, educational, and obvious than what is taught here?
If a person bears hypocritical, bad fruit, then it is corrupt. However, if it is righteous fruit (Ephesians 5:9), then it is good. This is what the Holy Spirit plainly taught.
An apple tree bears apples, not oranges. And an orange tree does not bear apples. We are to make a distinction.
Again, Jesus makes it very clear that we are to judge men by what they produce, not by what they claim. Read 2 Corinthians 11:14-15.
If they are not doing what the Lord has commanded, then how is it that they are His disciples-children?
In 1 John 2:4, Scripture says, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” This one is a false professor.
As a positive, John 14:21 reads, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” This one is a genuine professor.
Conclusion: Maybe the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and others should take the time to read the Bible for themselves to see that nobody rebuked the religious hypocrites more than Christ.
So, quit blaming genuine Christians for the masses who claim to be what it is clear that they are NOT!
