Does He Know You?
Happy Father's Day! My name is Avel Rivera, and I’m passionate about helping people find genuine faith in Jesus. Today, let’s dive deep into a teaching from Matthew 7:13-23, a powerful passage that challenges what we think it means to truly know Jesus — and, even more importantly, to be known by Him.
Two Paths: Life or Destruction
Jesus opens this passage with a stark choice:
“Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.”
Most people think there are endless ways to discover truth, happiness, and fulfillment — but Jesus cuts through the noise. There aren’t countless roads to God; there are only two gates, each leading to vastly different destinations: life or destruction.
You’re not standing neutrally at a fork, waiting to choose. By default, we start on the broad road. It’s easy, popular, and demands nothing of us. But comfort isn’t the goal, and this road ends in destruction.
The narrow gate? It’s Jesus Himself. He says in John 10:9, “I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” Entering this gate is not about a one-time prayer or religious ritual; it’s about repentance, obedience, and daily dependence on Christ.
Key takeaway:
There is no “middle road.” Neutrality is an illusion. Either you choose Christ, or by default, you remain on the path to destruction.
Two Voices: False Teachers vs. The Good Shepherd
Jesus warns,
“Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruits.”
False teachers aren’t always obvious. They may look godly, quote scripture, and even perform signs, but their motives and message are deadly. Jesus teaches that just as you can’t get grapes from a thornbush, a person’s heart will show through their actions — the “fruit” they bear.
What kind of fruit is Jesus looking for?
Humility. Hunger for righteousness. Mercy. Purity in heart. Peacemaking. Perseverance under persecution. These are the real marks of a transformed life.
True spiritual fruit flows from a repentant heart. False teachers may appear influential, but their lives reveal pride, manipulation, division, and lack of heart for God.
Before moving on, don’t miss Jesus’ warning:
“Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
This is about final judgment, not gentle correction.
Bottom line:
The only way to bear good fruit is to be connected to Jesus. Apart from Him, there is no life.
Two Claims: Words vs. Relationship
Jesus brings this teaching down to a personal level:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
Confessing Jesus with words is meaningless if your life isn’t surrendered to Him. It’s one thing to admire Jesus or know about Him; it’s another to obey and follow Him from the heart.
People will even claim spiritual experiences:
“Didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons, and do many miracles?”
Jesus responds,
“I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers.”
Why such a harsh response? Because ministry is not the same as intimacy, and gifts are not the same as godliness. You can do things “for” Jesus and still be far from His heart.
The essential question:
Does Jesus know you? Have you truly surrendered your life to Him, or are you just going through the motions?
The Urgent Reality
Jesus leaves no middle ground:
Two ways: Life or destruction.
Two voices: False teachers or the Good Shepherd.
Two claims: Religious activity or a real relationship.
So, ask yourself:
Are you walking the path that leads to life? Are you listening to the true voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd? Is your relationship with Christ genuine, marked by repentance and transformation — or simply routine and performance?
On Judgment Day, all that will matter is not “Do you know about Jesus?” but “Does He know you?”
If you want to talk more about entering the narrow gate or have questions about genuine faith, please reach out to me. At Fuente de Esperanza, we’re committed to helping people move from mere knowledge about Christ to authentic relationship with Him.
Jesus is inviting you in. Will you walk through the gate?
Contact Pastor Avel Rivera
Interested in learning more about Fuente de Esperanza or about following Jesus? Send a message — I would love to have a conversation with you.
Fuente de Esperanza Church Plant — Launching September 21st!
Keywords:
Matthew 7:13-23, Sermon on the Mount, Two Gates, Narrow Gate, Jesus the Gate, False Teachers, Good Fruit, Spiritual Fruit, Repentance, Relationship with Jesus, Authentic Faith, Christian Discipleship, Church Planting, Avel Rivera, Fuente de Esperanza
