Good fruit or bad fruit?

 

 “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. (Lk 6:43-45)

 

So, which are you?  Good or bad?  Do not be too quick to answer.  Many would say, “I’ve been a basically good person.  The emphasis is on basically.  Jesus calls us to a higher standard, a much higher standard.

“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; (Mt 5:21)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Mt 5:27-28)

Any honest person that hears “The Sermon on the Mount” from Matthew 5-7 should conclude that he or she cannot attain the high standard which Jesus sets.  The level of goodness which God expects is far above the common variety we casually throw around.  “You were a good father, a good son, a good wife, good athlete, etc.  When a Jewish ruler addressed Jesus as “good teacher” he was rebuffed:

A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. (Luke 18:18) In this passage Jesus is correcting the way society casually uses the term “good”.  He reminds us that God is the ultimate standard of goodness, not man. 

We see this standard of goodness throughout the Old Testament as God creates and lovingly sustains his creation.  Jesus exemplified God’s goodness as “The Good Shepherd” who cares for his flock, feeds them, guides them, and protects them.  He lays down his life for the sheep.  The 23^rd Psalm is a vivid portrayal of God’s commitment to our wellbeing:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Ps 23:1-6, KJV)

It is natural to imitate our Father in heaven.  How do we demonstrate God’s goodness to others?  It is not as easy as it looks.  Paul describes the struggle we feel when we determine to be good in our own fleshly efforts:

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. (Ro 7:18-19)

Goodness is not something a person can manufacture by their own efforts.  It is a fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23a)

The fruits of the Spirit are not obligations- they are benefits.  Benefits of living in the power of the Holy Spirit.  All true Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13; Jn 14:17; Ro 8:9). As we live under His gracious control we will be “walking in the Spirit” (Gal 5:16) As we live by faith in the power of the Spirit according to the Word of God the Spirit progressively produces Christ-like character in our lives.  We are being conformed to the image of Christ.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (Ro 8:29)

So, are you good fruit or bad fruit?  That depends.  Are you trying to live the Christian life in your own efforts?  Or are you living by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit?  As you walk in the Spirit you will increasingly see the character of Jesus Christ revealed in you.  It does not happen overnight, but it does happen.  Jesus promised it:

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (Jn 15:16)^[1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

Unless otherwise noted all passages in this blog are taken from:^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995)