teknomom

Good points, Charis. And they touch on the whole infant vs. mature disciple debate. Some (particularly the “Lordship Salvation” view) insist that without external evidence (based upon arbitrary criteria), people must not be saved. I’m not saying Cheryl is suggesting any such thing, but that some people say so explicitly.

Personally, I believe there are some very carnal Christians, but Christians nonetheless. Paul’s letters to the Corinthians were written to exactly those types of people. Those who seem to have external signs of maturity and discipleship will certainly be rewarded, but those without such external signs will have all of their works “burned up” (1 Cor. 3) yet be saved themselves.

Matt is thus a good case study or cautionary tale. On one hand he does have some “gold and precious gems” regarding the cults for example. But on the other he has “wood, hay, stubble” regarding hierarchy and what I’d call the “Diotrephes Complex” (3 John 1:9). The refining fire of judgment will consume all he has built up that is ungodly and proud.

So we all can take warning from Matt’s example. We must be careful to avoid the worthless things we think are so pretty or admirable but to God are trash. Matt has made “straw” the cornerstone of his ministry, and we know what happens to a building with a bad foundation. But that only highlights the need for ALL members of Christ’s body to help each other, not telling half that they are worthless to the “presentable parts”. Only by honestly listening to each other will we get rid of the trash in our lives.