This is probably one of the heavier pieces I’ve written, but I can’t shake this realization I had when reading through Matthew 7.
Matthew 7:15-27
15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
24“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Sandwiched in the middle of these verses is the well known statement where Jesus says that there will be people who call him Lord, and claim they did mighty works in His name, yet Jesus tells them to depart from him that He never knew them and went on to call them workers of lawlessness.
He starts by saying that we will know them (false prophets) by their fruit. Don’t let the term “false prophet” trip you up here. The Greek word pseudoprophétés simply means religious imposter one who specializes in “the art of misimpression“, like how they were “commissioned” by the Lord to touch the world with their message. But when in fact, they operate by self and for self so they must be exposed for what they are – and are not!- Strong’s 5578
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. – Matthew Henry says “Christ here shows that it will not be enough to own him for our Master, only in word and tongue. It is necessary to our happiness that we believe in Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, that we love one another. This is his will, even our sanctification. Let us take heed of resting in outward privileges and doings, lest we deceive ourselves, and perish eternally, as multitudes do, with a lie in our right hand. Let every one that names the name of Christ, depart from all sin.” The difference here between a true disciple and an imposter is repentance and holy living. Those two action words seem vanishing in our culture today. Many have been lulled to sleep by a deception that says “I can claim to be a Christian and even do some mighty works, but live as I please for myself.”
Clement of Rome stated something similar on this passage of scripture. “Never recognized you as my disciples. While my name was on your lips, your hearts were far from me.” Let us then not call Him Lord, for that will not save us, but do the will of God.
Let me be clear, salvation is by grace through faith. Salvation is not by works. We are called to good works. But works are not the same as fruit. I realized when reading this passage that sometimes we assess our own and other people’s works as good fruit. But clearly Jesus is making a distinction here. Fruit cannot be manufactured – works can be faked.
Jesus goes on to talk about “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” We have to be hearers and doers of the Word.
So what are the marks of a true Christian? What are the fruit that we judge? Paul lays out 20 things in Romans 12:9-21 that are marks of a true Christian.
- Let love be genuine
- Abhor (detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness) what is evil
- Hold fast to what is good
- Love one another with brotherly affection
- Outdo one another in showing honor
- Do not be slothful in zeal
- Be fervent in spirit, (enthusiastically) serve the Lord
- Rejoice in Hope
- Be patient in tribulation (steadfast and patient in distress)
- Be constant in prayer (continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength)
- Contribute to the needs of the saints
- Seek to show hospitality
- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them (who cause you harm or hardship)
- Rejoice with those who rejoice
- Weep with those who weep
- Live in harmony with one another
- Do not be haughty (conceited, self-important, exclusive) but associate with the lowly
- Never be wise in your own sight
- Do not repay evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all
- If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all
These are things we should cultivate in our own lives, they are contrary to the flesh – yet they line up perfectly with the fruit of the Spirit, which is the growth stick for Christ followers. This realization of the distinction that Jesus makes between fruit and works, calls us to examine our own lives and evaluate if we are just doing works or are we bearing good fruit.
-Jen ❤
Jen Maynard 