One winter's day I drove past an orchard on the east end of Long Island. As I passed, I looked at the neatly arranged rows of trees. I wondered what types of trees these were; apple, peach ... pear? In the absence of fruit, I had no way of knowing the species. The fruit was the key to identifying the types of trees.
Jesus said, "For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit ..." (Luke 6:43-44).Jesus' message is clear. "Good fruit" is the result of a godly life and "corrupt fruit" is the result of an ungodly life. The true convert of Christ will consistently manifest good fruit. The converse is true of the unsaved person; they are incapable of bearing good (godly) fruit.
Galatians 5:22-23 states, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Note the word "Spirit." The true convert of Christ has the indwelling Spirit and can bear good fruit. The unsaved individual has not the Spirit and can not bear good fruit; despite their best efforts.
Dear friend, take some time to be a "fruit inspector." Of what does the fruit of your life testify? True convert of Christ? False professor? Confused individual?
In Titus 1:16, Paul speaks of those whose fruit didn't line-up with their words: "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." ... Friend, this is no time to deceive yourself. The days are short. It's time for some honest and courageous fruit inspection. Jesus said, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:22-23).
Friend, "every tree is known by his own fruit."
Please consider this short video: Are you a True Convert of Christ
Aren't we all like fruits, some with bigger bruises than others, hoping that we will still get picked at harvest time...
ReplyDeleteWe all manifest different fruits. The type of fruit reveals the type of "tree," or, in this case, the type of person; true follower of Christ or not. Going to church doesn't make one a true convert; neither does being a good person or giving money to the church. A heart changed by repentance and faith in Christ's sacrificial death on Calvary is foundational to true conversion; such a true conversion will naturally manifest good fruit ... it will be evident what type of "tree" that person is.
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