The talents represent monetary value and are distributed according to ability (Matthew 25:15). The requirement is to
invest in Christ. The first two servants
deposited their money with the bankers (Matthew 25:27) but the third servant
buried his money in the ground (vs. 25). The third servant had been given abilities and the opportunity to believe and bear fruit in accordance, but had chosen to reject it.
The fact that the latter man in this parable is called wicked and slothful and an unprofitable servant (Matthew 25:30) who is cast out into outer darkness, certainly indicates that he was not a true disciple of the master. The idea of this illustrative parable is that all true believers will produce fruit in varying degress. All believers are fruitful, but not all are equally fruitful (Matthew 13:23). *Those who produce no results at all are not truly converted.
I love these scriptures, but they are Parables. They were not created to destroy God's Word, or annul any part of God's Word.
The idea of this illustrative parable is that all true believers will produce fruit in varying degress.
This is true. And by ones fruit we shall know if they are true believers, or if they just worship Jesus in Vain.
This probably represents the biggest disagreement I have with Mainstream preachers of our time. "True Believers" will bring forth righteous fruits through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As it is written, there is no sin in Christ, nor His Spirit. This is why Jesus inspired it to be written;
Matt. 7:
22 Many will say to me
in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in
thy name? and in
thy name have cast out devils? and in
thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me,
ye that work iniquity.
The scriptures you posted do not contradict these. We are all given His Word, (talents) what do we do with them? Hide them in the world and forget them? Or show them to others that more might come to the Master.
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,
who called his own servants, and delivered unto them
his goods.
This represents God's Word, the Good news of the Gospel.
These "MANY" in Matt. 7 were also given God's Word,(Talents) just like us all. But their fruit exposed their rejection (burying) of God's Goods (His Word)
These "many" brought forth Works as it is written. They probably created statues and images of Him in the likeness of man. They probably created great feasts and high days to honor this image they created. built great churches, went on great missions all in His name. But their "fruits" were "unlawful works" and Jesus rejected them for producing these fruits.
This man's characterization of the master maligns him as a "hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed." This slothful so-called servant does not represent a genuine believer, for it is obvious that this man had no true knowledge of the master. Two of these servants were children of God, but not the third. Children of God are not cast out into outer darkness. The fact that this man is called a "servant" does not mean necessarily that he is saved. The Jews are called the Lord’s servants, but they were not all saved (Isaiah 43:10).
I find this statement from you amazing and a true representation of the scripture.
I once heard a self proclaimed "believer" preach that God created commandments impossible to follow, then killed thousands of people who refused to follow it. He preached that this God of the Old Testament was a strict God which no mercy or Grace and basically taught that Jesus had to come back and eliminate His Commandments because they were unfair, unjust, and unholy, and create different ones which were righteous, holy and good in their eyes.
Do you believe this accurately depicts the "true knowledge of the master".
Jesus doesn't give us money to live by. He said:
"Man shall not live by "bread" alone, but by EVERY WORD that comes from God.
And His Word is not grievous as "Many" preach.