Good Fruit

March 16

(Luke 6:43-44) “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. {44} Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.” 

(Matthew 7:15-20 NIV) “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. {16} By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? {17} Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. {18} A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. {19} Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. {20} Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

(Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Everyone in Israel’s agrarian society knew the difference between good fruit and bad fruit. They could see it, smell it, and taste it. It made a perfect metaphor for what Jesus wanted to teach. Fruit is a sign of life. If a tree has no fruit, it is likely in the process of dying. Jesus even spoke of cutting down trees that did not bear fruit. They were only good for firewood. Fruit also provides a tree’s identity. It is recognized by its fruit. If a tree contains cherries, only the fool would call it an apple tree. Jesus wanted His disciples to know that following Him would bring life, and a sign of that life would be the fruit of the Spirit that grew in their lives. Their fruit would identify them as disciples of the Living Word. Their love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control would set them apart from the rest of the world. Is this what sets you apart? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day