Matthew
7:15-29
“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.”
(Matthew 7:15-20)
Throughout
their history Israel had had false prophets, men who claimed to be speaking
what God had told them, and Jesus’ day was no exception. Many of them gained large followings because
they preached an exciting and attractive message, often assuring that following
their advice would result in tremendous blessings.
Jesus warned
that deceit was part of their stock in trade.
Their message was and is designed to get people to do what they
want. While they appear to really care about the
people, their only real concern is getting power over the people or their
money. In order to convince people they
are telling the truth they do the same things legitimate men of God do. They run charities to help the poor, drug
rehab programs, women’s shelters, and soup kitchens. They campaign for equality and justice, and
tell exciting stories about the good they have done for others. As a result people are convinced they are good
people.
Leaves of
various types of trees appear similar at certain stages of development, and may
result in misidentification of the trees.
By waiting until the fruit is ripe, even an inexperienced observer can
easily tell whether it is an apple tree or a cherry tree. More experienced observers may even identify
a specific variety of that fruit.
In the same
way, by looking at what the results of the persons claims are before committing,
one can know whether the prophet is from God or not. The time spent checking things out can save
one’s freedoms, his belongings, or even his life. Just as it is impossible for an apple tree to
produce persimmons, it is impossible for a godly teacher to produce wicked followers
who believe it is okay to lie, cheat, steal, and commit murder. Likewise, those with a wicked attitude will
produce a similar attitude in their followers. The attitudes and intentions of the leader can
be identified from those of their followers.
“Not every one that saith unto me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will
of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
Like many
people today, the Jews were inclined to accept anyone who attended church and
prqyed as being Christians.
Unfortunately, even non-Christians can go to church and pray. The ones who really are will do what God
wants. In John 14:23-24, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man
love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come
unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my
sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent
me.” If they don’t consider God’s
commands important, clearly they are not his people.
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? And then will I profess unto
them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23)
Unfortunately,
many feel that performing religious activities make them Christians. They preach and go soul winning, and help the
poor or homeless and get involved in the church, doing whatever they are told
they need to do to get into heaven, whether praying the sinners prayer or being
baptized or completing a confirmation or discipleship course.
When they
bring up these things in the day of Judgment, Jesus said he would have to tell
them he had never known them. They didn’t
somehow lose their salvation, they had never been his. All they have to look forward too is eternal
damnation because, as John 3:36 says, “He
that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the
Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
“Therefore whosoever heareth these
sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built
his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon
a rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)
To hear and
act on what Jesus had said would guarantee a solid footing when God’s judgment
comes. Their salvation will be sure because it is
founded on truth rather than the teachings of some false prophet or some
personal or cultural moral standard or interpretation of God’s law.
“And every one that heareth these
sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which
built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and
the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall
of it.” (Matthew 7:26-27)
To ignore
what Jesus said was in effect to base one’s eternity on mere human ideas and
standards that would not hold up in the day of judgment though they seemed
quite acceptable in ordinary times.
Their collapse will be even more shocking because they appeared so solidly
based. Failure to check out and be sure
about one’s position is taking unnecessary risk.
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had
ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught
them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7:28-29)
The scribes
were closely involved in the various interpretations of the scriptures and
hesitated to take a firm position because they were not sure which school was
right. Jesus taught as one who knew was
not depending on some interpreter’s ideas, but knew what the scriptures
actually said. Unlike the scribes, he
was clear in his stance on what God expected.
It was up to them to decide what
they were going to do.
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