In v.13-14, 2 choices were presented: wide gate, spacious, many who entered through it, looks like a good choice and no one will ridicule you. Or narrow gate, difficult way of life, only few who find it, fewer companion. It is always easier to go with the flow, but difficult to go against the current. Do you have any experience in that?
I think v.15-20 continues the topic above. Jesus further explain why there were so many who would chose going through the wide gate, because of the false prophets. They seemed to be sheep and therefore people would follow. Jesus taught the disciples how to recognize them by their fruit. But what does fruit mean? In v.21-23, fruit does not mean they could prophesy, or cast out demons or do powerful deeds. Fruit means they obey God's laws v.23. In other words, if you can talk or serve or even perform miracles you can still be a wolves. Only if you obey God's words shows you are sheep. Do not be deceived by someone who can really talk or they seemed to be very powerful.
Finally in v.24-29, we always teach children about this paragraph, a and we all know the advantage of building the house on the rock vs those who build on the sand. They are very secure and will not collapse. But, who made these wise decisions? What kind of wise decisions they have made?
v.24 “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock
Same theme continue, the hearers and doers are wise and their result is secure. They are the ones who obey Jesus' words, not the religious person but break God's Laws. They are the ones who enter through the narrow gate with the fewer people.
Same theme continue, the hearers and doers are wise and their result is secure. They are the ones who obey Jesus' words, not the religious person but break God's Laws. They are the ones who enter through the narrow gate with the fewer people.
However, it is the most secure way. The test day (fain fell, flood came, winds beating) will come and will come soon and therefore we need to get ready. Are you are a hearer only? Or we do not even pay attention to hear? Or we hear but do things on the surface or do the minimum? I think the hearers-doers they are very convinced of what they hear and therefore they will do it and do it right the way.
Audrey
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