Tuesday, January 20-Matthew 7:13-23

I like those things that Rob does before each post :P So I'll try one even tho I have nothing to write: I'm tired. I have a bad sleeping schedule. That is all for now :)

13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
-A command to do something. This instruction is something that we should all want. Wide and broad can describe how easy it is to travel down it, how many people can travel down it, how little effort it takes, etc.
-Destruction is the end of the road for the wide travelers.
-Because many enter thru it we should be careful of being part of the many.

14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
-The contrast is the other gate. Only a few find this one. Find means that they searched for it. It takes effort and work, but the end result is something great.

15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
-Part of narrow road traveling is to watch out for people that teach the wrong stuff.
-They appear good, but are actually evil. This is so dangerous that we are able to recognize these people. Otherwise we could be in for big trouble.

16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
-This is how we recognize them. We must look for fruit. What is the result of their lives and ministry. This must be one of the first things we determine about teachers.

17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
-Very simple statement that is worth its weight in gold. When u find bad fruit, recognize it for what it is.

18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
-Cannot is the operative word. It is either one or the other. Don't get confused. Bad teaching is a seed that you definitely don't want to deal with.

19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
-This is the result of a tree that doesn't live for Christ. Unfortunately this is the only option given for those that don't bear fruit for God.

20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
-Again, another reminder, this is how we know.

21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
-Again, clues to narrow vs wide road. Expressing Lord, Lord doesn't put you on the narrow road. Fruit is what is the proof. Fruit comes thru doing God's will.

22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
-This is the wide road where many travel. It's not miracles that are important, not prophecy, but doing the will/commands of God. Don't look for the miraculous to describe fruit, but look to doing God's commands. Following his laws. We must be in God's word and know it.

23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
-Very simple reply.
-Don't be a fool, know God, know his commands/will, follow them. Don't look for miracles as proof of citizenship in God's kingdom, but look to fruit that God desires.