A 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. ~Matthew 7:18-20 (NIV)
In Matthew 17 Jesus states that bad fruit tells us a lot about the tree. Sometimes new believers struggle with these scriptures because when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, we are made aware of our sin and that can be overwhelming at first. We are introduced to grace and come to understand the mercy and grace God has bestowed in forgiving us and restoring us to a right relationship with Himself, but we have absolutely no idea how to extend mercy and grace to ourselves or others just yet. Our spirit man has been perfected but our works are a whole different story. We have been justified by the works of Jesus, but we are being sanctified by the work of the Holy Spirit and as opposed to justification, which is a one-time act, sanctification is a process. As we continue to receive the grace or unmerited favor of God, we will begin to perpetuate that to ourselves and to others. That is why Jesus said the second greatest commandment was to love others as we love ourselves. How well do you love yourself? Have you given yourself grace in the process of sanctification? Are you trusting the Lord to help you master your motives one step at a time or are you expecting instant perfection of yourself? We are all a work in progress and although we need to be attentive that we are making progress, it is more important that we are committed to the process of inner renewal. We prosper as our soul prospers. If we aren’t doing anything to renew our mind, we cannot expect our actions to change. We are either swimming upstream or floating back down. In the Christian life there is no room to stop pressing on and growing in our walk with the Lord.
Many people see Matthew 7:20 as a directive to judge others. Yes, we are able to recognize a lot about a person by their actions, but do we take into account why people act the way they do? Or where they were when they started? What about where you were when you came to Christ? Have you ever wondered how you are capable of regressing back into sins of anger or addiction and throwing tantrums after walking with the Lord for years? The bible teaches we are all prone to look at the circumstances, but God looks at the heart, particularly the intentions of the heart. Jesus called some of those religious folks who acted like they had it all together whitewashed tombs. Things aren't always the way they appear. We have all heard it said that “hurting people hurt people”. Have you met anybody lately that isn’t hurting in one area or another, including yourself? Where does that leave all of us? At the foot of the cross in need of a Savior. Every single one of us. In James 3:9-11 we read “With our tongues we praise our Lord and Father. Yet, with the same tongues we curse people, who were created in God’s likeness. Praise and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen! Do clean and polluted water flow out of the same spring?” (NOG) That scripture puts most of us into the same boat. If we want to be “fruit inspectors” we need to start with our own tree, gracefully. Let God heal you and then you will be able to bring healing to others. Judging brings awareness, but forgiveness and encouragement opens the door for healing for ourselves and those the Lord puts in our lives.
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? ~James 4:12 (NIV)
How well do you love yourself?
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