16th Sep, 2025 Blog: “Is There a Them and Us?” – A Biblical Answer

English Version

When we look at humanity, it is easy to say: “There is a them and an us.” But how does the Bible describe people, and how does it teach Christians to treat others?

1. How many groups of people are there according to the Bible?

Spiritually, the Bible shows us there are only two categories of people:

Those who belong to God through Christ.
Those who reject God and remain in sin.

Matthew 12:30 – “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”

There is no middle ground. A person is either in Christ or outside Him.

Ephesians 2:1 – “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

2. How should Christians treat others?

Even though there is a “them and us,” Jesus commands His followers to love all, including enemies:

Matthew 5:44 – “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

At the same time, God calls believers to speak truth and warn sinners:

Ezekiel 3:18-19 – “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning… Yet if thou warn the wicked… thou hast delivered thy soul.”

We love people, but we cannot ignore sin—we must warn in love.

3. When the message is rejected

Jesus gave clear instruction:

Matthew 10:14 – “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.”

We cannot force belief. We testify, and if people reject, we move on.

Jesus also exposed that not all are children of God:

John 8:44 – “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.”

This shows the real spiritual divide—children of God versus children of the devil.

4. The final separation

God knows the end from the beginning, and the Bible is clear:

Matthew 25:41 – “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Those who reject Christ will share the judgment of the fallen angels.

But those who are His are safe:

John 10:27-28 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.”

5. Conclusion

Yes, the Bible teaches a “them and us.” Yet the calling of the Christian is clear:

Warn the sinner (Ezekiel 3:18-19).
Love even the enemy (Matthew 5:44).
Speak the truth plainly (John 8:44).
Trust God with the final judgment (Matthew 25:41).

The heart of a Christian is not to live in hatred or pride, but to walk in truth and love, knowing God Himself will bring the final separation.

Afrikaanse Weergawe

“Is Daar ’n Hulle en Ons?” – Die Bybelse Antwoord

Wanneer ons oor mense dink, kan ons maklik sê: “Daar is ’n hulle en ’n ons.” Maar hoe sien die Bybel mense, en hoe leer dit die Christen om ander te behandel?

1. Hoeveel groepe mense is daar volgens die Bybel?

In geestelike sin wys die Bybel dat daar net twee kategorieë mense is:

Die wat aan God behoort deur Christus.
Die wat God verwerp en in sonde bly.

Matthew 12:30 – “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”

Daar is geen neutrale posisie nie – ’n mens is óf in Christus, óf buite Hom.

Ephesians 2:1 – “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

2. Hoe moet Christene ander mense behandel?

Al bestaan daar ’n “hulle en ons,” beveel Jesus Sy volgelinge om almal lief te hê, selfs vyande:

Matthew 5:44 – “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

Tog verwag God van gelowiges om die waarheid te spreek en die sondaar te waarsku:

Ezekiel 3:18-19 – “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning… Yet if thou warn the wicked… thou hast delivered thy soul.”

Ons moet dus in liefde waarsku, al aanvaar mense dit nie.

3. Wanneer die boodskap verwerp word

Jesus gee duidelike riglyne:

Matthew 10:14 – “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.”

Ons kan niemand dwing om te glo nie. Ons getuig, maar as hulle nie luister nie, gaan ons verder.

Jesus het selfs gesê nie almal is kinders van God nie:

John 8:44 – “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.”

Hier sien ons die werklike skeiding – kinders van God teenoor kinders van die duiwel.

4. Die finale skeiding

God weet die einde van die begin af, en die Bybel is duidelik:

Matthew 25:41 – “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Die wat Christus verwerp, sal saam met die gevalle engele geoordeel word.

Maar dié wat aan Hom behoort, is veilig:

John 10:27-28 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.”

5. Gevolgtrekking

Ja, die Bybel leer van ’n “hulle en ons.” Maar die roeping van die Christen is duidelik:

Waarsku die sondaar (Ezekiel 3:18-19).
Liefhê selfs die vyand (Matthew 5:44).
Spreek die waarheid duidelik (John 8:44).
Vertrou God vir die finale oordeel (Matthew 25:41).

Die hart van ’n Christen is nie haat of hoogmoed nie, maar liefde en gehoorsaamheid – met die wete dat God self die finale skeiding sal bring.

Posted in Uncategorized by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.

25th May, 2025 True Faith or False Religion?

Opening:

False religion is born when men replace God’s truth with human tradition, form without faith, and rituals without repentance. But true faith is born from a heart transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ—submitting to His lordship, seeking His will, and living in obedience to His Word. It manifests in holiness, love, and biblically grounded practices such as evangelism, fellowship, communion, and care for the vulnerable.

Many people are religious—yet the Bible warns that not all religion pleases God. In fact, Jesus rebuked the religious elite of His day for honoring God outwardly while their hearts were far from Him:

“This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
— Mark 7:6–7 (cf. Isaiah 29:13)

1. False Religion: Belief Without Truth

Belief, in itself, is not virtuous—it depends on what or whom we believe in. False religion arises when belief is placed in anything other than the true and living God as revealed in Scripture.

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools… Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.”
— Romans 1:22, 25

Even demons believe in God’s existence (James 2:19), but that belief does not save—they do not trust, love, or obey Him.

False religion often has the appearance of wisdom, but it lacks power:

“Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility… but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”
— Colossians 2:23

2. True Faith: Trust in Jesus as Lord and Saviour

Biblical faith is not mere belief—it is saving trust in Jesus Christ: crucified, risen, and exalted.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
— Romans 10:9

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven… whereby we must be saved.”
— Acts 4:12

This faith is not a vague spirituality. It is faith in the historical, risen Jesus—the only way to the Father (John 14:6).

3. Faith That Transforms: A Life of Obedience

True faith leads to repentance and a changed life. It produces obedience, not perfection—but a growing desire to walk in God’s ways.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
— John 14:15

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
— 1 John 2:3

Faith that does not produce action is dead:

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
— James 2:17

4. The Fruit of Faith: Biblical Practices

When Christ reigns in the heart, a person naturally desires to obey His Word and participate in the life and mission of the Church. These biblical practices are not means of salvation, but evidences of salvation.

a. Evangelism – The Great Commission

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations… teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”
— Matthew 28:19–20

b. Fellowship – Gathering with the Saints

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is…”
— Hebrews 10:25

c. Communion – Remembering the Lord’s Death

“This do in remembrance of me… For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:24–26

d. True Religion – Love for the Vulnerable

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
— James 1:27

5. Beware of Religion Without Christ

Just as in Jesus’ day, many still follow “religious tradition” while ignoring God’s Word. Jesus warned:

“Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”
— Mark 7:9

Religion is dangerous when it replaces Christ with customs, and substitutes outward show for inward change.

Conclusion: Examine Your Faith

Not all who appear religious are right with God. Jesus said:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven… Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord… and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you…”
— Matthew 7:21–23

True faith begins with the heart—broken over sin, believing the gospel, and surrendering to Christ. It continues with a life that seeks God’s glory, walks in obedience, and reflects His love.