Just because someone says and appears to do all the right things, that doesn’t mean they are doing a righteous work. Christ gave us a very potent scale or measuring stick to determine the reality of what we are looking at. It also serves as a great indicator in our own personal lives as to how we are performing in our daily walk, service to our Lord, and eternal security.
Mathew 7:15-23
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Christ first gives us a warning that there will be false prophet’s who come to you appearing harmless, but their true intent is to devour and destroy you. He gives us a great barometer as to how we can determine who is on the level and who is not. He said, “we shall know them by their fruits.” The key word here is “fruits.” According to the Enhanced Strongs Lexicon this translates as:
2590 καρπός [karpos /kar·pos/] Probably from the base of 726;; 66 occurrences; AV translates as “fruit” 66 times. 1 fruit. 1a the fruit of the trees, vines, of the fields. 1b the fruit of one’s loins, i.e. his progeny, his posterity. 2 that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result. 2a work, act, deed. 2b advantage, profit, utility. 2c praises, which are presented to God as a thank offering. 2d to gather fruit (i.e. a reaped harvest) into life eternal (as into a granary), is used in fig. discourse of those who by their labours have fitted souls to obtain eternal life.1
Why is this important? It is of dire importance that we understand that this is a direct interpretation to reflect offspring. We know the truth of an individual’s intent when we look at the offspring which comes as a result of a ministry or individual. Of good preaching, good works, good testimonies, great wonders, etc none are evidence of truthfulness and the intent of one’s heart. In verses 16 – 19 of this passage Christ provides us with example of this very fact.
He goes on to explain, beginning, in verse 20 how many will stand before him in judgment speaking in their own defense of their lives through their works. There is one defining factor in all of this passage, “FRUIT.” We can work and toil in many things and according to Christ, if it does not result in the production of fruit then our lives are doomed. The fruit that Christ is talking about here is not your spiritual gift or the fruit of the spirit. The fruit He is pointing to is your spiritual offspring. This is a scary fact when contemplated.
My question to you today is, are you producing fruit? Take a moment and reflect upon your life. Have your works resulted in the production of offspring for the kingdom of God? Have you ever personally led someone to the knowledge of Christ? Is the greater purpose in your life to have nice things or promote the gospel?
Be encouraged today, to direct your life in such a way, that you become a fruit bearing tree.
[1]Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G2590
Serving Christ by Serving You,
Bryan K. Taunton
Exec. Dir. FootWash Ministries
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