Repent therefore and enter in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat, because strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads unto life, and few there are that find it.
And again, beware of false prophets that come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. For do men gather grapes of thorns? Or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree brings forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Wherefore, by their fruits you shall know them.
Truly I say unto you, it is not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. For the day soon comes that men shall come before me to judgment, to be judged according to their works. And many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name have cast out devils, and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I say unto them, You never knew me. Depart from me, you that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:13-23)
I view the above verses as a single topic regarding true and false messengers. I'll add more on its three major parts in following posts.
The gate that is wide and leads to destruction is the path that leads to hell. The gate that is narrow and leads to life is the path that leads to heaven.
Have you ever asked yourself why? Why is it that there will only ever be a few that find and walk the path leads to life?
The answer to the question provoked in the first few verses is given by Christ in the following verses.
The reason so many fail to find life is because they do not beware false prophets or in other words false teachers.
Is your teacher or preacher that you trust to teach you the word of God truly called of God?
Do we really believe an individual can go get a degree in theology and call themselves?
Peter, James and John were called and chosen directly by Christ. After His death and resurrection Paul was chosen by Christ the same way. If God is the same yesterday today and forever, shouldn't the standard be the same?
True messengers called of God are those who keep his commandments to the point where Christ by His own voice calls them to labor.
On the other hand, false teachers prevent others from obtaining salvation, period.
Therefore, realize this truth. One of the criteria that will absolutely be used to judge whether or not you are able to inherit the kingdom of Heaven will be whether or not you were able to discern true messengers from false messengers.
