Notes by Mary Van Nattan unless marked otherwise.
Matthew 7:15 Bepiano coverse of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inpiano coversdly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt 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.
Did you ever wonder how to recognize a wolf in sheep's clothing? Well, according to the word of God, it is fairly plain. Examine their fruit. It should be good, that is, of God; things that He has told us to do in His word and things that bring glory to His name. And, their fruit should remain. John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
So, if they say they are a sheep, but their actions speak more of wolfishness, take note of their works. Are they good by God's definition and do they remain? If the works are not good; and if when they do something that does seem good, it does not last at all; then there's a pretty good chance that you are looking at a wolf in sheep's clothing. Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to piano coversn every one night and day with tears.
Matthew 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save... What a profound statement coming from the mouths of the very men that called for the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ! Little did they know the truth of that statement! They in their foolishness thought that He was not able to save Himself, when in truth, He willingly could not save Himself for He wanted to save us! John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. He laid down His life on purpose, choosing not to save Himself, so that we could be saved! Glory to God! What boundless love!
See also the poem - Himself He Could Not Save
Matthew 27:62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
In the history of the world man has done many vain things. We can read about a number of them right in the pages of holy scripture. But, one of the vainest things that man has ever done since the Garden of Eden was this - to set a watch upon and seal the tomb of the Son of God! Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. It was impossible for Him to stay dead, so these precautions were totally absurd. And, He had told them before hand that this was so.
Mark 14:8 She hath done what she could... What a beautiful statement from our Lord regarding the woman who anointed Him with her precious spikenard ointment. Let's live our lives with this goal in mind. What a rich repiano coversd it would be to have our Lord say this about us! 1 Corinthians 3:14, If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a repiano coversd. Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
graphics by mary vannattan
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