Matthew 7:15-23 NKJV – “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Many have assumed and even taught that these verses are exclusively for those that stand upon the dais or behind the pulpit. To a degree that is very True. However, what are those that choose to follow Christ told to do?
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV – And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of Jesus Christ, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
“Go therefore and make disciples.”
“Baptizing them in the name of Jesus Christ.
“Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”
Therefore, you too can be included amongst those that are “false prophets.” You too can be a ravenous wolf.
Now let us focus in on this sentence:
“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”
Many if not most that profess to being “Christian” believe in their own minds that they bear “good fruit.” However, I have observed this is the furthest thing from the Truth. For in reality they are ravenous wolves.
Now why make such a statement? This is why.
As I have looked about at those that are religious I see their hypocrisy. In daily behavior, actions and attitude. I even see it over the long-term is some cases and see how they have failed to follow the Bible time after time all for their status within a building called a “church.”
It is this seeking after status within a building called a “church” that I have witnessed the reality of the description of “ravenous wolves.” They dress in their finest and don’t wish to tarnish their image within this little social club. They berate their offspring, and cause their children to turn away for God and salvation and most likely heading them towards eternal damnation all for the sake of status.
To them they are focused solely upon how they are seen. How they interact with other. It is always about them. How self-centered and egotistical can people be? However, what else can be expected for the Word of God says this about those that are so self-absorbed:
James 3:14-16 NKJV – But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
If this attitude and behavior is “earthly, sensual, demonic.” The question must be asked: Are they even saved if they had once been or have they never truly been saved?
Becoming saved is the easy part. All you need do is believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and only through Him can you find Salvation which leads to God. However, faith and believing alone can lead to death.
James 2:14-26 NKJV – What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
If the works that people have accomplished has led their children to sin and to walk away from God. Then they have shown that their fruit is bad and are not welcome into heaven and that Jesus Christ never knew them.
Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Which explains why Christ followed this statement with this parable:
Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV – “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Ponder deeply. Have you been foolish or wise. Truly search your soul. Review your actions and behavior before and after you asked Christ to enter your life. If there has been no change between the two are you truly saved? Evidence, your works, says no. If you have been within a building called a “church” and have your children, if you had any, walk away from God? Then you are foolish, and destine to be washed away to damnation. For you not only bore bad fruit, but it was so bad that you were a ravenous wolf and devoured your own offspring to damnation for all eternity unless they find their way to God through trials they may have avoided if you had born good fruit.
For a very long time the buildings called “churches” stopped bring places of God and have given birth to those that are ravenous wolves instead of disciples.
WAKE-UP!! REPENT!!
For many it is already too late for them. However, leave those buildings called “churches” and seek a true relationship with God through Jesus Christ by studying the Word of God for yourselves. Not read. STUDY! There is a huge difference. Because if you had studied the Word of God you would have left those buildings called “churches” long ago and let them go out of business. For that is all they are a business only interested in money not God nor His Son: Jesus Christ.
When you study do not follow commentaries. To Study break down the word as they were originally written down in Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic, for the Bible was written in these three languages in the first place. For when you understand what the Words meant when originally placed upon parchment then you will begin to see the Truth of the Word of God.