13 Enter ye in at the
strait [GR narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is
the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that
find it.
The path to heaven is narrow; it leads to life and few will
find it. The path to hell is broad, which leads to destruction; many will find
this path.
“The straight and narrow way by which man may walk in
Godliness was compared with the broad highway leading to destruction. False
prophets were to be shunned, such as were then among the people, comparable in
their pretense to sheep, and in their reality to ravening wolves. These were to
be recognized by their works and the results thereof, even as a tree is to be
judged as good or bad according to its fruit. A thorn bush does not produce
grapes, nor can thistles bear figs. Conversely, it is as truly impossible for a
good tree to produce evil fruit as for a useless and corrupt tree to bring
forth good fruit.”[1]
“In your journey through life, you meet many obstacles and
make some mistakes. Scriptural guidance helps you to recognize error and make
the necessary correction. You stop going in the wrong direction. You carefully
study the scriptural road map. Then you proceed with repentance and restitution
required to get on the ‘strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life.’”[2]
Nephi wrote about the importance of the strait and narrow
path.
“Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen
that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been
shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the
gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then
cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.
“And then are ye in this strait and narrow path
which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done
according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received
the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling
of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should
receive.
“And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into
this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto
you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with
unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to
save.
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in
Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.
Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and
endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
“And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and
there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in
the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the
only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
which is one God, without end. Amen” (2 Nephi 31:17-21).
17 Even so every good
tree bringeth forth good fruit [The Greek wording carries the meaning of
beautiful, precious fruit without blemish]; but a corrupt [GR decayed, rotten,
stale] tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot
bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that
bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their
fruits ye shall know them.
Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets who appear to be
doing His work, but are really ravening wolves. This was a very real warning. During
Paul’s mission, through his epistles, warned Christians of who they should
avoid.
“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous
wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
“Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them.
“Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three
years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:29-31).
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark [GR watch, beware of] them
which cause divisions and offences [GR stumbling blocks, scandals] contrary to
the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but
their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple [GR innocent, guileless]” (Romans 16:17-18).
The wolves were already at the door.
18 A good tree cannot
bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that
bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their
fruits ye shall know them.
“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a
corrupt tree bring forth good fruit” (Matthew 7:18).
“False prophets were to be shunned, such as were then among
the people, comparable in their pretense to sheep, and in their reality to ravening
wolves. These were to be recognized by their works and the results thereof,
even as a tree is to be judged as good or bad according to its fruit. A thorn
bush does not produce grapes, nor can thistles bear figs. Conversely, it is as
truly impossible for a good tree to produce evil fruit as for a useless and
corrupt tree to bring forth good fruit.”[3]
“Given the urgent need for spiritual preparation in a time
of such peril, I want to extend a word of warning about one very strong sign of
the times. My professional life put me on the forefront of technology, so I
recognize the value it has, especially in communication. So much information of
man is now at our fingertips. But the Internet is also full of much that is
filthy and misleading. Technology has augmented our freedom of speech, but it
also gives an unqualified blogger false credibility based on the number of
viewers. This is why now, more than ever, we must remember this eternal
principle: ‘By their fruits ye shall know them’ (Matthew 7:20).”[4]
[1] Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage, Chapter 17.
[3] Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage, Chapter 17.
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