Introduction. The wonderful promises of Jesus strengthen our convictions and build the bridges allowing us to cross over our fears, losses, and weariness. Although the comfort they bring often make them our meditation of choice, we must leave time for careful consideration of His warnings as well.
We can’t “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” if we don’t leave time to consider and watch for the grave perils we face. We are warned that while living in this age, we are still on the battlefield, facing a spiritual host of wickedness. Because all their weapons are based on deception and lies, our only protection is the truth revealed in Scripture. We are not spectators! We are soldiers actively involved in this battle between good and evil. We have been given the armor necessary to “stand in His great might,” but it will not help us if we are so busy thinking about salvation that we don’t put it on! (Eph. 6:10-18). While God promised salvation as a present possession, Satan does not see us as saved. Instead, “as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour,” the devil only sees us as prey. Any time he finds an opportunity to pounce through the lusts of flesh and eyes, or the pride of life, he will use it (2 John 2:15-17).
We can’t “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” if we don’t leave time to consider and watch for the grave perils we face. We are warned that while living in this age, we are still on the battlefield, facing a spiritual host of wickedness. Because all their weapons are based on deception and lies, our only protection is the truth revealed in Scripture. We are not spectators! We are soldiers actively involved in this battle between good and evil. We have been given the armor necessary to “stand in His great might,” but it will not help us if we are so busy thinking about salvation that we don’t put it on! (Eph. 6:10-18). While God promised salvation as a present possession, Satan does not see us as saved. Instead, “as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour,” the devil only sees us as prey. Any time he finds an opportunity to pounce through the lusts of flesh and eyes, or the pride of life, he will use it (2 John 2:15-17).
At the end of the sermon on the mount, Jesus gave four warnings. (Mt. 7:13-24). First there are two gates and two paths to enter the kingdom of heaven. One is a “wide gate and broad path” that many will enter and walk, yet it is a false gate that only “leads to destruction.” There is also a “narrow gate and difficult way” that only a few will find that “leads to life.” This is a powerful warning, given to guide and protect us. Other Scriptures reveal our grave danger if we ignore these words.
From the two gates, Jesus moved to two teachers. Jesus commanded His disciples to “pay constant attention and keep in mind” that there are “false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” These teachers follow the path of Satan. Disguised as a friend, their goal is to deceive. In sheep’s clothing, pretending to be sheep, Jesus calls them ravenous wolves. Jesus promised we would know them by their fruits. The obvious fruit of all false teachers is contradicting or going beyond Scripture. Do we assess all who teach us? Does everything come from Scripture? Do our teachers teach absolute trust and reliance upon Scripture to know the truth? All teachers who don’t do this have fruits of those who lead us astray.
Jesus next warning centered on two types of disciples. Those who do the will of the Father are contrasted with those who do their own will. Although both call Jesus “Lord”, the latter will “never enter the kingdom of heaven.” As Israel before them, “they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (Rom. 10:2-3). Every disciple is warned to carefully assess whether their discipleship is based only on the commands of Scripture or mixed with human wisdom and philosophy. God will condemn all whose “fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.” (Isa. 29:13; Mk 7:5-9). There is no possibility that those teaching Scripture can be set aside and replaced with human commands will enter the kingdom of heaven. All human commands are from the will of men while only Scripture can reveal the will of God. No matter what the basis of their confidence, it will be stripped away when Jesus “will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
When was the last time we considered these warnings? When was the last time we assessed the gate by which we entered and the path we presently walk? How often do we use Scripture to test our teachers and companions? With each passing year, our growing understanding of Scripture brings clearer insight, offering us new opportunities to reassess and take heed. But we must never ignore: “let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1Cor. 10:12).
Jesus concluded the sermon with a final warning tying the others together. Those disciples who hear all these words of Jesus and do them have built their spiritual house on the rock of His word. Those who hear all these words, but do not take them to heart and never act on them, are building on sand. All their labor and toil as a devout disciple of Jesus are for nothing and will only end in Jesus final judgment: “I never knew you, depart you who practiced lawlessness.”
Conclusion. With all the changes in the religious world we live in today, Jesus words are essential. If we don’t hold fast to Scripture and base all our convictions and practices upon them, we will never enjoy the precious and exceeding great promises they contain. Pressure to conform to the world has led many to leave the confines of the Scripture for the broad path of human wisdom and innovation. If we honestly, diligently, and consistently take the four warnings of Jesus and apply them to our lives, we will protect ourselves and build on rock. In this way we will avoid the terrifying prospect of hearing, “depart you who practiced lawlessness.”
- “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” (Jer 10:23). There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Pr. 14:12) “‘Lord, are there few who are saved?’ And He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.’” (Lk. 13:23-24).
From the two gates, Jesus moved to two teachers. Jesus commanded His disciples to “pay constant attention and keep in mind” that there are “false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” These teachers follow the path of Satan. Disguised as a friend, their goal is to deceive. In sheep’s clothing, pretending to be sheep, Jesus calls them ravenous wolves. Jesus promised we would know them by their fruits. The obvious fruit of all false teachers is contradicting or going beyond Scripture. Do we assess all who teach us? Does everything come from Scripture? Do our teachers teach absolute trust and reliance upon Scripture to know the truth? All teachers who don’t do this have fruits of those who lead us astray.
- "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Jn. 8:31-32).
- “Whoever goes onward and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. (2Jn. 9)
Jesus next warning centered on two types of disciples. Those who do the will of the Father are contrasted with those who do their own will. Although both call Jesus “Lord”, the latter will “never enter the kingdom of heaven.” As Israel before them, “they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (Rom. 10:2-3). Every disciple is warned to carefully assess whether their discipleship is based only on the commands of Scripture or mixed with human wisdom and philosophy. God will condemn all whose “fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.” (Isa. 29:13; Mk 7:5-9). There is no possibility that those teaching Scripture can be set aside and replaced with human commands will enter the kingdom of heaven. All human commands are from the will of men while only Scripture can reveal the will of God. No matter what the basis of their confidence, it will be stripped away when Jesus “will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
When was the last time we considered these warnings? When was the last time we assessed the gate by which we entered and the path we presently walk? How often do we use Scripture to test our teachers and companions? With each passing year, our growing understanding of Scripture brings clearer insight, offering us new opportunities to reassess and take heed. But we must never ignore: “let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1Cor. 10:12).
Jesus concluded the sermon with a final warning tying the others together. Those disciples who hear all these words of Jesus and do them have built their spiritual house on the rock of His word. Those who hear all these words, but do not take them to heart and never act on them, are building on sand. All their labor and toil as a devout disciple of Jesus are for nothing and will only end in Jesus final judgment: “I never knew you, depart you who practiced lawlessness.”
Conclusion. With all the changes in the religious world we live in today, Jesus words are essential. If we don’t hold fast to Scripture and base all our convictions and practices upon them, we will never enjoy the precious and exceeding great promises they contain. Pressure to conform to the world has led many to leave the confines of the Scripture for the broad path of human wisdom and innovation. If we honestly, diligently, and consistently take the four warnings of Jesus and apply them to our lives, we will protect ourselves and build on rock. In this way we will avoid the terrifying prospect of hearing, “depart you who practiced lawlessness.”