Identifying the true religion

Jesus said, at Matthew 7:13,14, to "go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."

What did Jesus mean ? He is laying out guidelines as to how to identify the true religion and how to guard against those who make a profession of following Christ but who take advantage of individuals, being "in sheep's clothing, but inside they are ravenous wolves."(Matt 7:15)

Many a religious leader have put on "sheep's clothing" only to "fleece the flock", such as those who preach a "prosperity gospel", saying that God will bless one financially. Of course, one has to first pay those who preach it, these appealing for donations, saying that the more you give, the more God will bless one financially. Is this what Jesus taught ?

Jesus now begins to narrow down the true religion, by saying: "By their fruits you will recognize them." He says that "never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they ? Likewise every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit." What will the true religion "produce" ? Jesus said "fine fruit", whereas false religion produces "rotten fruit". Jesus further says that " a good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, neither can a rotten tree produce fine fruit."

How can ‘the road to life’ be found ? Jesus said that the true religion would be evident in the lives of the people who practice it. “By their fruits you will recognize them,” he said. “Every good tree produces fine fruit.” (Matthew 7:16, 17) In other words, those who practice the true religion would be recognized by their beliefs and their conduct.

Although they are not perfect and they make mistakes, true worshipers as a group seek to do God’s will. Consider ten features that identify those who practice true religion.

(1) Those who practice it have genuine love among themselves.(John 13:34,35; 1 John 4:8)

(2) All their beliefs are based on the Bible.(John 17:17; 2 Tim 3:16,17)

(3) They pray for God's name of Jehovah to be hallowed or sanctified. (Matt 6:9; Ps 83:18)

(4) They proclaim God's kingdom in all the earth, not some political or social philosophy.(Matt 24:14; Acts 28:23)

(5) They keep separate from the world's affairs, untainted by the world's politics or conflicts, remaining neutral in time of war.(James 1:27; John 17:14)

(6) They put God's kingdom and his righteousness first in their lives.(Matt 6:33)

(7) They cultivate the fruitage of God's spirit, not condoning war or personal violence.(Gal 5:22,23; Rom 12:17-21)

(8) They obey all human laws not contrary to God's law.(Rom 13:1-7)

(9) The true religion successfully unites people of every race, language, and tribe. It does not preach nationalism or hatred, but love worldwide.(Isaiah 2:2-4; Col 3:10,11)

(10)The true religion teaches the truth regarding God's purpose for man and the earth.(Matt 5:5; Ps 115:16; Isaiah 45:18)