“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matt. 7:18-20
By Michael Adekoya – Brethren, the world is looking for fruit in us today – the evidence that we are different. If they don’t find it in us, why should they be interested in who and what we believe? My friend, there is no survival for a tree which has been disconnected from its root. God wants us to take root below and bear fruit above; otherwise our root will become a stump and cause people to stumble. We need to be in Christ in order to bear fruit of His Spirit
I heard this story ages ago. A little boy went over to a Pastor’s house, where the Pastor was doing some carpentry in his garage. The boy simply stood there paying much attention and watched him for quite a long time. After a while, the preacher wondered why this boy was watching him and was finally so curious that he stopped and said, “Son, are you trying to pick up some pointers on how to build something?” The little boy replied, “No. I am just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer.”
My friend, you will agree with me that, often, we will find out what we are made of by our reactions or what comes out of our mouths in both good and bad circumstances. Anytime we have a change in words, conduct and character in our lives, it is a type of spiritual fruit. The Bible says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . . ” (Gal 5:22). I strongly believe that a Christian’s life should be characterized by these things. My life and yours should exhibit these fruits on daily basis. Are we producing fruit of repentance…fruit of the Spirit? Or is the opposite true?
My friend, instead of love, is there hatred, bitterness, or even prejudice in your life? Instead of joy and happiness, is there constant gloom, sadness, sorrow, grief, depression, melancholy or tight face? Instead of peace, is there turmoil or unrest? Instead of gentleness, is there a short temper, anger, wrath, snappy attitude or malice? Instead of faith, is there endless worry, anxiety, murmuring or complaints? Instead of meekness or humility, is there pride, arrogance or rudeness? Instead of kindness, is there heartlessness or meanness? Instead of faithfulness, is there infidelity, disloyalty, betrayal, lying, deceitfulness or falsehood? Instead of longsuffering, is there intolerance, selfishness or unforgiving attitude? Instead of self-control, is there indiscipline or disorder in your life? Are you a victim of your own greedy, corrupt or lustful passions?
My friend, if so, then, it is either you don’t know God at all or a recommitment to Christ would be in order. If you are a true Christian, then people should be able to look for-and find-fruit in your life. Why? Because a disciple of Jesus Christ will produce spiritual fruit! End of story! Jesus said, “My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:8). Jesus also said, “By their fruits you will know them’ ” (Matt 7:20). The metaphor of bearing fruit is used quite often in the Bible. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus spoke of seed that falls on different types of ground, representing different reactions to the truth of the gospel message.
The final category He mentioned in Mark 4:20 was good ground: “But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirty-fold, some sixty and some a hundred.” In other words, those who have spiritual longevity are those who embrace this truth and produce fruit. The Bible tells us that we should bear fruit worthy of repentance (Matt 3:8).The Bible gives us different pictures as to what “bearing fruit” means. For example, praising and thanking God at all times, in good and bad times, it is a way of bearing fruit in our lives. Hebrews 13:15 says, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” My friend, when you praise God in your heart, in your home, car, kitchen, work-place or anywhere, that is bearing fruit.
My friend, listen! We shouldn’t pray to God only when we need things from Him. Rather, we should pray to Him because prayer is the means by which we talk with God. We shouldn’t praise God only when we are in the mood. Rather, we should praise Him because He is worthy of our praise. Our word, “worship,” comes from the old English form, worth ship. We should praise who is worthy. Therefore, we shouldn’t praise God because we feel like it. We praise God because He deserves our praise. When we do this, we are bearing fruit.
My friend, one of the major reasons why God created us is to worship Him. Ephesians 1:12 tells us that God has called you and I to live for the praise of His glory. We are here on earth to glorify God with every fiber of our being and with everything we have; .and to know Him intimately. The Bible says, we are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and His own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9).What we say is also a type of fruit in our lives. Jesus said, “A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say. “(read Luke 6:45). When you are a true Christian, it will be reflected by what you say. This is bearing fruit as well.
My friend, can others identify spiritual fruit in your life? Are you full of love and loving? Do you have joy and peace? Are you kind, good, helpful, faithful, gentle, trustworthy, disciplined and self-controlled? Remember, people are watching you. They are listening to you. I hope and pray that you are pointing people to Jesus and not away from Jesus. Food for thought, remain blessed!
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