12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
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.
There are three separate issues laid forth here by Jesus. They are all connected with the separation of truth from lie and right from wrong. There are many people who have come to believe that truths are based on our point of view. While for humans what we believe to be true and right may come from a certain point of view. Humans are limited by time and perspective, but God is limited by neither.
There are many wolves who can act like sheep because of these limitations. There are many ways that may deceive people who are limited in such a fashion. But God will not be tricked nor deceived. The light of the world will point to the true path. This light will also show what is right and wrong.
Trees will reveal whether they are good or bad when it comes time to harvest their fruit. But there is one who can look into the hearts of men and see whether they are good or evil. This is the same one who looked into the hearts of all men and saw only evil. This man went to the cross for the purpose of making these hearts good.
By the sacrifice of one man, God has provided the only path to life. This one man is Jesus Christ the only Son of God. This is gate or door God offers in the gift of faith, as he speaks the truth (not just another perspective).
There are many wolves who can act like sheep because of these limitations. There are many ways that may deceive people who are limited in such a fashion. But God will not be tricked nor deceived. The light of the world will point to the true path. This light will also show what is right and wrong.
Trees will reveal whether they are good or bad when it comes time to harvest their fruit. But there is one who can look into the hearts of men and see whether they are good or evil. This is the same one who looked into the hearts of all men and saw only evil. This man went to the cross for the purpose of making these hearts good.
By the sacrifice of one man, God has provided the only path to life. This one man is Jesus Christ the only Son of God. This is gate or door God offers in the gift of faith, as he speaks the truth (not just another perspective).
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