Matthew 7:13 says, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Jesus tells us to enter the straight gate if we want to avoid destruction, and faith in Him for salvation is the only straight gate. Verse fourteen adds, Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Jesus said that the gate was straight and the way was narrow that leads to salvation and that few found it. Again, faith in Jesus is the only way to salvation, but too many people look everywhere else for salvation. Verse fifteen declares, Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Jesus warns us that there will be false prophets who say what sounds good to us, but inwardly they do not care if we are destroyed or even if they destroy us. They are only looking for what is best for them self underneath. Verse sixteen adds, Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Jesus warns us to look at their actions and not just listen to their words. Just as grapes come from grape vines and not thorn bushes and figs come from fig trees and not thistles, so must the fruit of the Spirit come from someone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ. Our actions should be consistent with our words. Verse seventeen continues, Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Christians are the good trees, and we should bring forth good fruit for the kingdom of God. We are not the good trees because of some innate goodness, but because we have put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Verse eighteen states, A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. As long as we follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we cannot bear evil fruit, and if we do not follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit any fruit that we bear will likely be corrupt. Verse nineteen declares, Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Jesus warns us that trees that do not bear good fruit are cast into the fire. Now, if we have truly accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we will not be cast away into hell, but many of our works may be. Verse twenty adds, Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Jesus tells us that we will be known by our fruit, so the question is are we bearing fruit for Him today or for the world? Verse twenty-one warns, 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. Jesus warns us that just saying we are a follower of Christ is not enough, but it requires actually seeking to do God's will through faith in Christ, the narrow gate and straight way, in order to truly be saved. Verse twenty-two declares, 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? On judgement day, Jesus tells us that many people will claim to have done great things for Him, but the question will be if they have a real relationship with Him as Savior or not. Works will never save us. Verse twenty-three proclaims, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Jesus tells us that many people who profess to know Him will be told the truth that He never knew them. In other words, they never had a personal relationship with Him, no matter what they may claim to have done for Him. The relationship must exist before works can be done for Christ. Verse twenty-four states, 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: Then verse twenty-five adds, 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. Wise men build their house, or lives, on the foundation of the rock of Christ, and when the storms of life come, they will still stand. Verse twenty-six states, 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: Then verse twenty-seven adds, 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. Hearing the words of Christ and not believing them makes a person foolish, and whatever that person builds will ultimately be destroyed, since the works are built on a foundation other than Jesus Christ. Verse twenty-eight states, And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: Verse twenty-nine concludes, For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. The people who heard Jesus speak were astounded by His doctrine because He taught as on having authority and not as one simply acting as a representative. If we are to be saved today, we must acknowledge that Jesus is the only One Who has the authority to bring us salvation.
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