THE KING’S BUSINESS
55
“what kind of fruit am I, myself, bearing?” The only way to bear good fruit is to be a good tree. Tuesday, January 19. Matthew 7 :21-29. It is not calling Jesus “Lord,” but doing God’s will that makes us fit for the king dom. If we really make Jesus Lord, we will do the Father’s will. The first point in the Father’s .will is that we believe on Jesus whom He hath sent (John 6:28, 29). Even up to the judgment day there will be many who count themselves His because they call Him “Lord, Lord,” but who will find out that after all they were not. It is plainly suggested in these verses that one may even achieve wonders in the name of Jesus who has no saving knowledge of Jesus Himself (cf. 1 Cor. 13:2). There are many today pointing to the persons “healed” through their ministry, as God’s seal of approval upon their ministry. It is evident from verses 22, 23 that this is not by any means conclusive proof. Indeed, people holding the most antagonistic posi tions alike point to healing as the sign of God’s approval, but which of the antag-- onistic positions is it that God is approv ing? No amount of wonders performed will prove one who neither holds the doc trines nor manifests the spirit of Christ, to be a teacher sent from God. No matter what one has done in the name of Christ, no matter how exalted his position or loud his professions, if he works iniquity there awaits him at the judgment day the dread ful, “I never knew you; depart from Me.” Wednesday, January 20. Matthew 8 :l-4. It required much faith on the part of this leper to come to Jesus; for no leper had ever been cleansed by man, and as far as the record shows, Jesus had cleansed no leper up to this time. But this leper was dead in earnest, kneeling down and falling on his face (Mark 1:40; Luke 5:12). The leper’s prayer was brief, and right to the point. It displayed great faith in the Lord
Monday, January 18. Matthew 7:13-20.
Two gates and two roads beyond them, one gate and road narrow, and few travel ing that way—but this gate and this road ing that way,—but this gate and this road broad, and many are the travelers, but this gate and this road lead to “destruction.” “Take the narrow gate and the narrow road” says Jesus. The average man or woman wishes to go with the crowd. If you do, you will go to “ destruction ” Jesus says. Do you wish to know what the nar row road and gate are ? Read Chapter 2 : 3 , 8 , 18 : 2 , 3 ; Acts 2 : 28 ; John 3 : 3 - 5 ; John 1:12; Romans 10 : 9-10; Isaiah 55:7; John 10 : 9 ; 14 ; 6 ; 2 Corinthians 6 : 17 , 18 ; Romans 12 : 2 . The road to “life,” though narrow, is pleasant (Pro. 3 : 17 ) and the road to “de struction,” though broad, is hard (Prov. 3 : 15 ). That there should be false prophets and false teachers in the world should cause us no surprise or dismay. Jesus predicted from the beginning that it should be so, and the fact that it is so is simply a con firmation of the truth of His Word. Jesus solemnly commands us to beware of “false prophets,” men who profess to speak for God, but who in reality are speaking for the devil. There never was a day in all this world’s history in which this command was more needed than today. In outward guise they may be meek, but there is a ravenous heart within. One once said to me, speak ing of a very dangerous false teacher, “But he is so gentle.” Yes, a “wolf” is never more dangerous than when he is mas querading in “sheep’s clothing” (cf. 2 Cor. 11 : 13 , 14 ). What are men “inwardly” ? That is the question. How can we tell? By their fruits. What is the fruit of the al leged prophet’s teaching? Is it grapes and 'figs, or thorns and thistles? Tried by this Christ-given test, much that is lauded in our day as “advanced thought” is found to be utter error. Many have had their fingers pricked by the thorns and thistles which were supposed to be grapes and figs. But the all-important question for each of us is
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