Examine Your Fruit

Examine Your Fruit

"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit." -Luke 6:43

The above statement in Scripture seems to be a pretty obvious statement; of course good trees bear good fruit and bad trees bear bad fruit! The same is true of us. Our fruits are our actions and our character. When we sow the Word of God in ourselves, we reap the good fruit of righteousness. When we know Christ intimately, people should be able to tell by the fruits that we have. Our actions and character should begin to imitate Christ. If they do not, then maybe we are mistaken about what it really means to be a Christian (remember, it's not just a choice you make, but a relationship you're committed to!).

Jesus says to the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:15-16, "I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." That is a bold statement, and one we should not take lightly. If we are known by our fruits, and we produce lukewarm fruit, then it is an indicator that we are off track. He goes on to say, "For you say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,' not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." (Rev. 3:17) Think about it - do the words "wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked" sound like God's description of his followers? Matthew 7:13 says, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many." Are your fruits showing disobedience, apathy, or lukewarmness? The path is wide that leads to destruction.

I urge you to examine your fruits if you think you are a Christian. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil. 2:12b) If you are indistinguishable from authentic Christians, then you may have completely missed what Christianity is all about. It isn't about what we believe, it's about WHO we believe and WHO we are. Above all, Jesus is calling you to "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4) Seek diligently after the Lord! If you cannot say for sure that you have a relationship with Jesus, don't stop searching until you know! If it means not sleeping, stay up reading the Bible until you hear from God! If it means skipping meals to pray, pray as if God is your sustenance! Whatever you must sacrifice, eternity is worth whatever you are giving up! Examine your fruits, work out your salvation, and abide in Christ!