Read Luke 6:43-45 & John 15:1-8

Is it possible to produce fruit outside of Christ?  How do we prove that we are Christ’s disciples?

This spring, I discovered blackberry bushes behind my house, but because of weeds, I could not tell what was blackberry and what just weeds.  When the bush began to produce fruit it was easy to tell, and I cut away any branch that didn’t have blackberries on it.

Sometimes believers and nonbelievers can look very similar.  You can tell by the fruit.  When you look at your life, do you see fruit?  Or do you see a branch connected to a different plant?

Read 2 Corinthians 13:5 & John 10:27-30

What does Paul urge the Christians in Corinth to do?  Once we belong to Jesus what can never happen?

Paul is not trying to scare believers into doubting their salvation.  Jesus Himself said that once we belong to Him, there is nothing that can change that.  Paul is, however, urging church members to make sure that they have given their hearts to Jesus in the first place.

Read Romans 6:23 & John 14:1-6

What do we deserve for our sin?  What gift does God give us? Through whom does this gift come? What can we do to earn a gift?

Absolutely nothing.  We cannot earn a gift just as we cannot earn our salvation.  Salvation does not come from church attendance or good behavior.  It is a gift, a free gift that can only be received through Jesus Christ.

If you have never received Christ’s gift, I pray that you’d do so today.  If you know that you have, thank Him for the price He paid so that You could live.

Read Romans 3:23 & Isaiah 64:4-9

Who has sinned?  To what does God compare our most righteous acts?

Many people find comfort in the belief that they are “a good person” for the most part, but God says even our best is like a filthy rag when compared to him.  No matter how “good” we are, the reality is that we all sin, and this separates us from God.

Take a moment to ask God to help you realize what sins are pretty constant in your life.  Name these to Him, ask for forgiveness, and for the power to leave them behind.

Read Matthew 7:13-23

How many will find the broad way?  How many will find the narrow way?  Do these verses support the belief that “most” people go to Heaven?

The meaning of these verse is extremely sobering.  It is so much more appealing to treat heaven as the default place and hell as the place for exceptionally “bad” people.  Unfortunately this is not the reality.

Evaluate your own belief of “heavenly access.”  Does it match up more with Jesus or with pop culture?