A Professing Christian vs a True Christian

Matthew 7:13–23
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The three sons of a lawyer, a doctor, and a minister, respectively, were talking about how much money their fathers made. The lawyer’s son said, “My father goes into court on a case and often comes home with as much as fifteen hundred dollars.” The doctor’s son said, &q … More

Professing

The Scribes and Pharisees had fooled themselves into believing that they were righteous and others were sinful. These Jews had the mistaken notion that they were righteous by birth into their race, and by the fact they were circumcised. It is possible for people to know the right language, believe the right doctrine, obey the right rules and still not be saved. In this passage we find Jesus using two pictures to help us judge ourselves and others.

The first picture is that of two roads(vv. 13-14). The first road has a narrow gate in which each person must enter it alone and this way leads to heaven. The second road has a broad gate and people can enter it in groups and it leads to Hell. Jesus points out the necessity of choosing whether to follow God or not and the fact that the choices are only two. Also beware of false prophets (v. 15)!

The second picture is that of two trees (vv. 16-20). These two trees are contrasted in relation to the fruit which they produce. Good fruit comes from a good tree and bad fruit comes from a bad tree. Man cannot produce good fruit out of his own sinful nature. Therefore, the normal production of fruit, whether good or evil in a person’s life will give evidence of whether or not he is saved or lost.

Not everyone professing Christ is genuinely saved (vv. 21-23). Even the outward verbal acknowledgment of His lordship is in itself not enough to save the unbeliever apart from true repentance and faith. Willing and eager obedience is the hallmark of someone who has truly come to faith in Jesus Christ. They obey, not because they want to earn God’s favor, but because they feel delighted already to have received it.

Application

What kind of a tree best typifies my life. A strong oak, a weeping willow, a fruitful apple etc? Why?

Matthew 7:13-23 (English Standard Version)

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