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18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 (A)Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them (B)by their fruits.

I Never Knew You

21 (C)“Not everyone who (D)says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will (E)enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who (F)does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 (G)On that day (H)many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not (I)prophesy in your name, and cast out demons (J)in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

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15-20 “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.

21-23 “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our super-spiritual projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’

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