“BY THEIR FRUITS!”

Matthew 7:15-20                                           (ESV)

“15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

16 You will recognize them “BY THEIR FRUITS”. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

17 So, every healthy tree bears GOOD FRUIT, but the diseased tree bears BAD FRUIT.

18 A healthy tree cannot bear BAD FRUIT, nor can a diseased tree bear GOOD FRUIT.

19 Every tree that does not bear GOOD FRUIT is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 Thus you will recognize them “BY THEIR FRUITS”.”

“This world” generally considers people who regularly attend services at a church house as being members of the body of CHRIST.  Actual members of the body of CHRIST have allowed the language used by others to define who we are ACCORDING TO THEIR STANDARDS.  

JESUS, OUR CREATOR, set THE only standard that will matter on Judgement Day.  HE said “You will recognize them “BY THEIR FRUITS”!  Not by what others think of us.  Not by what building we attend on Sunday morning.  Not by whether we are a deacon or pastor!  Being known “BY THEIR FRUITS” is the only way to be recognized as a CHILD OF GOD!

When a fruit is picked before it is ripe, it may not be fit to eat.   When we try to live a life that is contrary to Scripture, we are a stench in the nostrils of ALMIGHTY GOD.  We cannot change Scripture to make us feel better about ourselves.  ONLY GOD can determine what is RIGHT and WRONG and HE will not change HIS WORD!  We WILL be judged “BY THEIR FRUITS” and a “diseased tree” cannot “bear GOOD FRUIT”.

Just because you are the largest contributor to GOD’S house doesn’t mean that you will enter into HIS KINGDOM.  HE desires a RELATIONSHIP with you evidenced “BY THEIR FRUITS“!  Why did JESUS make such a HUGE DEAL about “many will be deceived”?  Could it be that at the Judgement there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth when our FRUITS are inspected?  “Thus you will recognize them “BY THEIR FRUITS”!!!