"YE SHALL KNOW!"

Matthew 7:15-20                   (KJV)
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 "YE SHALL KNOW" them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits "YE SHALL KNOW" them."




There are a lot of people "quoted" as saying things that are probably true, but most be verified because of twisting and manipulation of what was actually said, or the context of how they said the quote.  That is true even with what JESUS said during HIS earthly ministry over 2,000 years ago.  How many times has someone quoted Matthew 7:1 which says "Judge not, that ye be not judged" in an attempt to justify a persons lifestyle choices?

In Matthew 5:44-45 JESUS says "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."  Are we to LOVE everyone, even those who have hurt us immensely?  Or worse still, someone who has hurt a family member greatly?

If a person were trapped inside of a burning vehicle and you were their only hope of escaping, most of us would do anything and everything we could to prevent them from being burned alive.  We wouldn't wait to see if we LOVE them, or we wouldn't JUDGE them to see if their lifestyle met with our approval.  They may be in a similar situation Spiritually as their soul may be headed straight for hell with nobody telling them about JESUS and the free pardon of sin HE grants to those who believe in HIM.  True LOVE for our brothers cannot be helping them into an eternity without JESUS.  We are to lovingly inform everyone that JUDGEMENT is coming and the only way to receive forgiveness is to trust in HIS sacrifice for our sins.

So how do we KNOW that someone has made a commitment to live for HIM?  JESUS said in the scriptures above a you cannot be a corrupt tree and bring forth good fruit.  HE said by their fruits "YE SHALL KNOW" them.  This doesn't mean a person can do a few "good things" and overcome a lifetime of corrupt behavior.  When a person has had their life grafted into HIS LIFE, "YE SHALL KNOW" because of the eternal fruits, the exhibition of LIFE that comes forth from their existence.  When there is NEW LIFE in a person, "YE SHALL KNOW" will not have to be proven, it cannot be suppressed!