Thursday, July 17, 2025

Inspect the Fruit do not Judge the Destination

When we have been changed into a new creation by Christ in response to our trusting in Him, our entire way of thinking is changed, which changes our responses to life and obedience to Him.

Those who have no evidence of a changed attitude can pretend through changing how they appear on the outside, but still be full of dead men's bones.
 
Matthew 23:27 "
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness."

Many people attending church gatherings today have resolved to "do" the right thing in their own flesh, but have not trusted in Christ to change their hearts.
Judas walked with the apostles and with Jesus Christ but the apostles didn't know he was full of dead men's bones, a walking, talking liar from hell.

We can walk with someone all our lives and see no fruit of the Spirit in them, even though they are living humanly righteous lives, impressing many people. Only those who are discerning will see they are false believers, but not perfectly, because we are reluctant to believe they are lost because of what we see on the outside.
 
Matthew 7:15-20
You Will Know Them by Their Fruit
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
What is the fruit? Here it is! Not good works but the outcome will be walking in obedience to Christ with good works that He compels us to walk.
 
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
In these last days, it is good to challenge others to evaluate themselves to see if they are in the faith. We need not judge whether or not they are going to heaven or hell, but we can warn them the fruit does not look good.

No comments:

Post a Comment