Understanding the Difference

When we take the time to look up the scripture references in the footnotes that follow the text below, we gain a greater understanding as to the difference between a nominal Christian (in name only) and that of a born-again disciple of Christ.

[You might want to print this page out, as you're going to need your Bible to look up the references!]

A Tree and Its Fruit

^{15 j} Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheeps clothing but inwardly are ^kravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will recognize them ^lby their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ So, ^mevery healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ^{19 n}Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus you will recognize them ^lby their fruits.

I Never Knew You

^{21 o} Not everyone who ^psays to me, Lord, Lord, will ^qenter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who ^rdoes the will of my Father who is in heaven. ^{22 s}On that day ^tmany will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not ^uprophesy in your name, and cast out demons ^vin your name, and do many mighty works in your name? ^{23 t}And then will I declare to them, I ^wnever knew you; ^xdepart from me, ^yyou workers of lawlessness.

Matthew 7:15-23 (ESV)

^j chapter. 24:11, 24; Deut. 13:1-3; Jer. 14:14; 23:16; Mark 13:22; Luke 6:26; Acts 13:6; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 4:1

^k Ezek. 22:27; Acts 20:29; [Mic. 3:5; John 10:12]

^l Luke 6:43, 44; James 2:18

^m chapter. 12:33-35

ⁿ See chapter. 3:10

^l [See verse. 16 above]

^o Luke 6:46; Rom. 2:13; James 1:22

^p [Hos. 8:2]

^q [John 3:3, 5]

^r chapter. 12:50

^s chapter. 25:11, 12; Luke 13:25-27

^t Mal. 3:17, 18

^u [Num. 24:4; John 11:51; 1 Cor. 13:2]

^v See Mark 9:38

^w chapter. 10:33; [Ps. 101:4]

^x chapter. 25:41; Ps. 6:8

^y chapter. 13:41; Ps. 5:5

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.