What fruit do you bear?

“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks".   Luke 6:43-45    NKJV

Trees bear good or bad fruit, depending what is in itself. We can find morally pure fruit and basically impure as well. One wouldn't find bananas on an apple tree that's for sure. If you did, there would be something radically wrong with the tree's formation. In the same way, believers in Jesus should be bearing good fruit. When they don't there is something quite wrong.

Bob Gass once wrote: 'An iceberg represents life. The 10% above the water is your reputation. The 90% below is your character. And it's what's below the surface that sinks the ship.' Just think about that comment for a moment or two. What's below the surface represents what you say or do when you are alone, for instance at home. I often call this the 'Behind Closed Doors Syndrome,' People don't usually see what we do in the privacy of our home; also, they don't hear what we say about things, such as people. But God does. How do you think He rates your time at home?

The results of an individuals life and work are better indications of personal motives than are our appearances and claims. We can identify people who follow God, based on what they say or do. Righteousness is produced in the heart as a result of righteousness in a person's life. This comes from the overflow of the heart 6:45.

Many people arrive at church on a Sunday morning and they are bright and cheery. Someone will hug them and they respond with typical Christian language such as 'Praise the Lord'. However, only a short while ago they may have been having a bad argument with their spouse or whoever at home. Alternatively, they have been ranting or raving at another motorist because they cut them up at a roundabout. There may have been toots of their horn and hand gestures before they turned off to drive to the church. 

Many of us have done something similar and yet when we arrive at the door of the church, suddenly it is like a cloak of holiness has been thrown over us and we change into a nice person. As I've said, we can all run foul of this but really, we are coming from that 90% of iceberg that is under the ocean; we can mask things so well. But God doesn't want this of you. If you're like this, seek God's help; ask someone to pray for you. Nine times out of ten, you'll no doubt be asking someone who suffers from the same problem. This puts you on an equal footing and can help to bring change.

Just ensure that you are producing fruits of righteousness and not the opposite.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now

Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen
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