I’ve heard people say things like, “I wish there was one place in the Bible that describes what a Christian is to be and do.” To them, I say, “Good news, there is, and it’s called the Sermon on the Mount.” There we can explore Christ’s words on Christian culture. I’m not saying that other teachings do not exist in Scripture, nor that we have no need to study and apply them, but the Sermon on the Mount offers a powerfully robust picture of what it means and looks like to follow Christ.
In Matthew 7:13-20, Jesus teaches on Genuine Christianity and how to beware of false teachers and identify them. Jesus begins by explaining that genuine Christianity begins with true conversion (Matt 7:13-14). Hence, his first words, “Enter by the narrow gate.” If we look back in the Sermon on the Mount, we can surmise that Jesus is making a contrast between: two kinds of righteousness and devotion, two treasures, two masters, and two ambitions, all of which Jesus spoke of earlier. Now it’s time for a decision. What will it be… the kingdom of the world or that of the Christian counter-culture? There is only one choice because there are only two possibilities to choose from.
Jesus continues by teaching on two gates leading to two different roads. We learn that genuine Christians enter through the narrow gate and travel the narrow road that, although hard, leads to life. On the other hand, the wide gate and road may be easy but leads to destruction. There is plenty of room on the wide and easy road for a variety of opinions and moral laxness. On it, there are no curbs, no boundaries, no rules. The narrow gate and way, in contrast to the ease of the wide, is hard. Its boundaries are clearly marked out in the Scriptures. On the narrow path, it’s not opinions but God’s Word that presents the truth leading Christ-followers down the right road. The entry through the narrow gate onto the right path is a turnstile of sorts, entered one by one, through Christ, who said, “I am the gate,” whoever enters through me will be saved.” It’s difficult to overstate the magnitude of the choice laid before us. The easy way, entered through the wide gate leads to destruction, while the hard way, entered through the narrow gate leads to life eternal. Remember, we must choose.
In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus continues by speaking about two trees producing two different kinds of fruit and the presence of false prophets. We learn that genuine Christians are to watch for false prophets. Why? Because false prophets are dangerous and deceptive. They may look as innocent as sheep, use religious language, and sound spiritual. However, their teaching does not align with God’s Word and leads people down the wrong path. Jesus later in Matthew (Matt 15 & 24) teaches that after His death, resurrection, and ascension, along with the worldwide spread of the gospel, there would be a rise of false teachers who would lead many astray. The history of God’s people is filled with accounts of controversy with false prophets and teachers. Unfortunately, there are still many in the church today.
A quick glance reveals the intent of Christ to make this warning about false prophets immediately after His teaching about two gates, ways, crowds, and destinations in His sermon. False prophets are skilled at blurring the issue of salvation. The good news is that we can assume that in Jesus telling us to beware that there is such a thing as an objective standard of truth by which falsehoods and false prophets can be recognized. In fact, false prophets are recognizable by their fruit. False prophets can be identified by whether or not they bear the good fruit of obedience to Jesus’ teaching. It appears that you may indeed mistake a wolf for a sheep, but you cannot make the same mistake with a tree. The simple truth is that we can test teachers, but it isn’t a superficial estimate of their role, position, or standing in the church, but a close look at their character, conduct, message, motives, and influence.
How are we to respond to false prophets? Jesus declares that like every bad tree bears bad fruit, which is to be cut down and thrown in the fire, believers are to rid themselves of the influence of these false teachers. False prophets are false guides. The church, believers, are to remove the influence of false prophets from their lives as radically as an orchard owner would cut down and burn a fruitless tree. It’s important to note that this warning Jesus gives does not encourage us to be suspicious of everyone or take up the hobby of heresy-hunting. We are simply to be on our guard by drawing close to Him, keeping in step with His Spirit, being rooted in His Word and prayer.
Let me encourage you to choose Christ. Choose His way. As believers journeying on the right path, we can enjoy the fellowship of other Christ-followers keeping our eyes on the goal of life, watchful for those who would lead us astray, washed over with the peace, strength, and joy of our Lord. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!