“Jesus Asked”

Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? (Matt 7:16)

It reads in Matthew 7:15-23.
(True and False Prophets) “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (True and False Disciples) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Matthew 7:15–23 contains a two-sided warning about false believers. A religious leader may appear respectable and wise, but you must look at the fruit of his life in order to know if he truly represents God. In the same way, it’s possible for a person to claim to follow Jesus, referring to Him as “Lord,” when they are not true believers. Only those who do the will of the Father will be allowed into the kingdom of heaven, which Jesus defines as beginning with true belief (It reads in John 6:28–29; Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”). Our good works might fool other people, and might even fool ourselves, but they cannot fool God. Amen.