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July 14, 2005
Daily Dose of Heresy #4 (Our "Fruit")...
Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJ):
In this passage from Matthew, Jesus places much emphasis on the “fruit” (or actions) of others. But, was Jesus referring to everyone or just believers? True, Jesus points out “false prophets” as those whom we should look out for. But does Jesus mean to say that we should watch out for “unbelievers”? I don’t think so. What if these false prophets (although admittedly bearing “bad fruit”) are still, in fact, believers of Christ?“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Too many times Christians are quick to judge others of not being truly “saved” by the fruit that they bear. We think that only those who bear good fruit are following Christ’s commandments, that only those who can show good fruit are real Christians.
But, does the concept of “fruit” even apply to unbelievers? Take another of Jesus’ examples…
John 15:5-8 (NKJ):
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”Here, Jesus clearly states that those who do not abide in him, “can do nothing,” and are, “cast out as a branch and is withered.” He then goes on to explain that his disciples will bear much fruit. (Also, notice that when Jesus says “much fruit,” he does not say “much good fruit.”)
So, if those who do not abide in Jesus Christ have already been judged (i.e., they are already described as being “cast out”), how then could they also be judged by their fruit? (Assuming that the “witherd branch” had the ability to bear fruit in the first place.)
If those who do not follow Christ cannot bear fruit, then those who must be judged by their fruit are us: Christians.
In this case, let us not be so quick to condemn others based on their “fruit,” for it is our own fruit that we must be aware of. It is we, the “fruit bearers,” who have yet to be judged.
Posted at 10:07 am
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dh () - July 14, 2005 at 10:46 am
And, I’m talking about judging by one’s “fruit,” not about judging/saving/whatever in general.
timsamoff () (URL) - July 14, 2005 at 11:47 am
alan - July 14, 2005 at 11:54 am
I don’t think I agree with bad fruit coming from Jesus… Take the example of an actual fruit tree:
A healthy fruit tree can become partially diseased (i.e., where only one branch bears bad fruit). In this case, the bad fruit is coming from the disease (let’s insert the word “sin” here), not the tree. Therefore, we must either eradicate the disease, or cut the branch off.
Thankfully, Jesus came to eradicate the disease and not cut us off… But, the disease (sin) still exists, right? So, we’re left with Christians who sin (i.e., bear bad fruit).
Just a thought.
timsamoff () (URL) - July 14, 2005 at 12:03 pm
Also, Paul mentions all the people who intentionally practice on a regular basis certain sins and what happens to them. Is that judging by their fruit? :)
I guess I believe all actions are fruit some are bad and some are good.
DH () - July 14, 2005 at 2:00 pm
