Believers vs. Professors

Featured Writer-Ryan Burchett
I just recently began reading a small book entitled “Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth” by Dr. C.I. Scofield. In this book, the primary focus is on the passage 2 Timothy 2 which illustrates the traits of believers through 7 different characters. These characters, although diverse in occupation and function, all form together to create the image of what a true believer is supposed to be.

Far too often in our world today, Christians are thought about in a negative light more times than not. Many people refer to Christians as hypocrites, racists, legalists, ‘Bible-thumpers’, and formalists and for the most part, sadly, these accusations could very well be correct, in most cases. Matthew 7:21-23 is quite clear on the subject of people mistakenly thinking they were ‘believers’ but never truly were. They will cry out “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles”, and God will answer them plainly and definitively, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” Scripture is very clear on the fact that there are many people who have been, who are, and who will be sadly mistaken on Judgment Day. So, how can we tell the difference between a true believer and a mere professor? We need not look any further than the Scripture.

First of all, here is a list of example Scriptures which I encourage you to read before moving forward. Each passage helps us to establish the proper image of a ‘true believer.’

Matthew 25:10

Luke 7:50

John 6:37,39, 47

John 10:14

John 10:27-29

John 17:24

Acts 2:42

Philippians 1:6

2 Timothy 2:19

Hebrews 10:39

Revelation 19:7-8

What does each verse mean in terms of ‘believers?’

Matthew 25:10 – ‘Parable of the 10 Virgins’ – illustrates Christ’s 2nd coming – when Christ comes back, believers will join Him in heaven and it will be closed off from ALL unbelievers forever

Luke 7:50 – true believers are saved by true faith; not by obligation, nor by tradition, nor by emotional experience

John 6:37,39, 47 – true believers are guaranteed eternal security and eternal life

John 10:14 – true believers get the pleasure and privilege to have a true relationship with God

John 10:27-29 – true believers have true security

John 17:24 – true believers have a true Savior who truly intercedes on their behalf

Acts 2:42 – true believers will have true devotion

Philippians 1:6 – a true believers’ life is a personal project of Christ’s

2 Timothy 2:19 – true believers are truly known by the one true God

Hebrews 10:39 – true believers are truly apart from the world

Revelation 19:7-8 – true believers are truly blessed

The characteristics and benefits of a believer are clearly stated in Scripture and should not only be what we as believers are striving for, but we should already see evidence of these things in our lives.

What about the other side of the equation? What does Scripture have to say about ‘professors’ and/or unbelievers? In a word….plenty!

Matthew 7:22-23

Matthew 22:11-13

Matthew 22:28,33

Matthew 25:11-12

John 6:64-66

Acts 8:13,21

Hebrews 6:4-6

Hebrews 10:38

James2:14

1 John 2:19

What does each verse mean in reference to ‘professors?’

Matthew 7:22-23 – professors mistakenly believe they are saved

Matthew 22:11-13 – professors will be cast out of God’s presence

Matthew 22:28,33 – professors will have no 2nd chance to come to Christ in the End

Matthew 25:11-12 – professors are not known personally by Christ

John 6:65-66 – professors, when confronted and questioned, disown Christ altogether

Acts 8:13,21 – professors, at times, only seek the blessings and/or ‘fire insurance’ and not a true, saving relationship with Christ

Hebrews 6:4-6 – professors will truly fall away from Christ on ALL fronts, which is contrary and “impossible” (6:4) to what Scripture teaches about true believers

James 2:14 – professors live 2 different lives

1 John 2:19 – again, professors live 2 different lives – they put on an act in church but will live contrary outside the church

The case and point for this study is simple:

Believers – 1. Live like it

2. Are rewarded

Professors - 1. Have no substance to their ‘faith’

2. Are condemned

It is not our job as believers to bring judgment on the ‘professors’ but rather to help bring them to the light. Ultimately, they will answer for their lives like the rest of us and Christ will be the ultimate judge of that. As it says in Matthew 13:28-29, “’An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “’No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.”

We are called to be the light in this world. If we try and bring condemnation down to try to ‘help God out’, we could do more harm than good. Let us stick to our beliefs, live like it, and show the light to others.