I am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus uses illustrations from nature familiar to everyone. Grapes do not come from thorn bushes; figs do not come from thistles (Matthew 7:16). It is impossible for a good tree to bear bad fruit and for a bad tree to bear good fruit. They cannot be intermixed (Matthew 7:17-20). These illustrations focus our attention on the importance of what we are inwardly. This is the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the inner state of being. Jesus is strong from the Sermon on the Mount to the end of His ministry as to the final result of such a condition. He clearly proposes that any tree that is not capable of producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 7:19). Nothing less will be tolerated or allowed.
In case the illustrations or parables of this truth become confusing, Jesus boldly states the truth of the matter. Kingdom people are those through whom the nature of the Kingdom flows, accomplishing the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21). The Kingdom is not an outside performance; it is an inside flow. It is not an adherence to physical laws; it is a state of His presence generating His will. Jesus said, “This means there will be many who will say, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” (Matthew 7:22). They are the group who performed activities, accomplished duties, but did not know the intimacy of His presence. They practiced lawlessness (Matthew 7:23). They adhered to the law, promoted the law, and demanded the law. In the midst of the law, they were lawless! They did not have Jesus, the “substance” of the Kingdom! This is why I am a Jesus pusher!!!