YOU WILL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS

A responsibility of great esteem lies on the shoulders of those that are saved by the grace of God. The impact of this responsibility will lead many to the God of our Salvation. One may ask, how is this possible? Now that we know the Lord as both Lord and Savior, we are to express or mirror Him in all that we undertake to do. In other words, our very intentions, words, and actions need to now evolve from a new base or a new source. Once we were aliens of the Cross but now we have been redeemed and restored through the power of the Blood of Jesus Christ. Remember that the proof that “old things have passed away,” has to be openly revealed in every facet of our lives. This now brings us to the point of moving away from “conforming to the world,” to the place of being “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” We are only able to get to this point in our Christian walk when we abide in the Vine and allow the sap of the Vine to renew our very beings, allowing the Word of God to bring about transformation as we submit to the will of God for our lives.

 Our Scripture Text for this Morning is: Matthew 7:15-21 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

Don’t take the fact that you know about Jesus or that you are called a Christian for granted. Jesus Himself says: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” When we live our lives in accordance to His Word, everything about who we are suddenly takes on new meaning. We choose to forget about self and selfishness and we choose to please God and to do what He requires of us. When we live our lives in this way, God then becomes the source and Provider of all that we need. He will open doors for us, He will bring things to pass, He will change circumstances and He will order our footsteps. We are called to live fruit-bearing lives. This is not easy, that is why we need the abiding Spirit of God to indwell our lives so that we can produce fruit. The fruit can only be produced when we align ourselves with God and obey the leading and guidance of the indwelling Spirit of God. These fruits are called the fruits of the Spirit. While it takes obedience to the will of God, sacrificial living to the confines of God’s Word and constant ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ, we need to realize that the fruit is not for us. It is for everyone else. No fruit tree after producing fruit, then partakes of that fruit. The fruit is for everyone that you interact with in this life.

This process can be painful, sacrificial, demanding much of an individual but that is the life that we as Christians are required to live in order to allow Christ to be formed in us. Jesus Christ lived in this way, He set the example for us all. That is the way we need to walk in. Jesus declared: “I am the way, and the truth and the life.” That is the way we need to walk, that is the truth that we need to comply with and that is the life that we need to live on a daily basis. Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus forewarns us that we will be persecuted if we stand up for Him. The fact of the matter is that He was persecuted because He was righteous and that did not go well with those around Him. He also calls us to be righteous not in words only but also in the deeds and actions of our lives. When we live in this manner, we bring glory to God as men and women look upon us and realize that we are unable to live in this manner without God in ruling in our lives.

Our text reminds us clearly that we need to be careful of those who come as prophets of God while they are actually messengers of the devil. “Beware of false prophets…” So as Christians we also have the responsibility to be vigilant and to keep guard or to watch out for these elements that will come in disguise to deceive the very elect. How do we stay vigilant? By keeping God’s Word in our hearts, minds, mouths, and thoughts. Joshua is commanded to not allow the law [the instructions of God] to depart out of his mouth, but that he should meditate therein both day and night. [Joshua 1:8]. Why did God instruct Joshua to live in this way? Firstly, that Joshua would be able to observe and do all that is written in the Law, and by doing this, God says that Joshua would make his ways prosperous, and that he would enjoy good success. God plainly sets out the route that we can all take to enjoy prosperity and good success when we abide in God and do all that He requires of us.

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