For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
A good tree and a corrupt tree are known by what they produce, for the words, actions and deeds of the life reveal the character within, and everyone bears fruit of one kind or the other. That fruit is not profession, faith, prayers or exhortations, but deeds of goodness and fulfilled duty in the daily life, by which alone a professed Christian can be judged. In the judgment the question will be what fruit was borne rather than what was professed, for every person is rewarded according to works and the promises and blessings of God are conditional on obedience. No one can correct others while indulging an evil spirit himself, but must first renounce sin, be changed in heart, and become good before doing good. Such goodness is not given finished but is built by daily effort in cultivating what God has entrusted, restraining evil and letting truth take root in the heart until obedience bears its natural fruit.
Fruit Reveals Character
Character is shown by the fruit of the life, for words, actions and deeds reveal the quality of the tree, everyone bears fruit of some kind, a good character does not produce corrupt fruit and a corrupt character does not produce good fruit. Fruit means deeds of good acts and fulfilled duties, not profession, faith, prayers or exhortations, for being a Christian is living a Christian life. A minister's true standing as a Christian is proved by daily life and example to the flock, and believers and unbelievers can judge a professing Christian only by this fruit. Every person is judged and rewarded according to works, so in the judgment the question is what fruit was borne rather than how much was professed, and securing the immortal crown depends on that record. God does not excuse sin in those who have been enlightened, and His promises and blessings are conditional on obedience.
A mischievous disposition and an unsanctified tongue produce corrupt fruit in criticism and talebearing that spreads harmful influence. An accusing, censorious spirit is corrupt fruit proving the tree is evil. Those who laud and flatter the minister while neglecting the works of righteousness give unmistakable evidence that they are converted to the minister and not to God, revealing whether it was the voice of the Holy Spirit or merely the voice of man that was heard. Trifling, joking, and flattering familiarity are corrupt fruit showing a corrupt influence, such conduct is moral wrong that pollutes the soul and denies Christ, and it produces further coquetry and moral harm.
In a minister, selfishness, fretfulness, harshness, oddities, a mind constantly occupied with advantage for self, selfish dealing and taking advantage of others, and a withering, blighting influence that tears to pieces and wounds everywhere are corrupt fruit showing the tree is not good and is under God's frown. A course of action and influence that works opposite to being a blessing, listening to mercy's invitation, and leading another to Jesus, and that hinders another from seeking the Lord earnestly and repenting of sin, proves one to be not a tree in the Lord's garden but a bramble bush. Good fruit is a Christlike character and the fruits of the Spirit: patience, kindness, courtesy, tenderness and sympathy, with willingness in home life to concede ideas and opinions rather than manifesting superiority, harshness, coarseness and an imperious spirit, and in fullness holiness, mercy, truth, purity, and love; those who do not bear such fruit are not trees of righteousness.
Becoming Good Trees
Being good must come before doing good, for attempting to correct others while indulging an accusing, censorious spirit is useless self-righteousness. Fitness to help others requires first renouncing that spirit, confessing and forsaking one's own sin, and receiving a change of heart. Only when the heart has been humbled and refined and made tender by grace does its influence transform others, so that a life of blessing becomes as natural as a plant bearing its proper fruit.
A character fit for heaven is not to be expected without being built through daily effort, since the powers given by God are talents rather than a finished character, and their cultivation determines what the life produces. That building comes through diligently using one's abilities, making the most of providential opportunities, and staying connected to the Source of wisdom. Good qualities must be developed while evil traits are restrained and rooted out. If a demoralizing trait is not overcome it can corrupt the rest of a person's virtues, while a life shaped by cultivated goodness becomes harmonious with God's model. Joseph and Daniel are examples to follow in this work, and Christ is the perfect pattern.
Truth must take root in the heart and appear in righteous practice, for mere knowledge or profession of truth cannot save. Its principles must shape the character and produce holiness, mercy, truth, purity, and love, since corrupt inward character produces evil conduct. Obedience to God's commandments enables fallen people through Jesus to bear precious fruit, and God gave Israel definite commandments so their lives would distinguish them from other nations and show the nations their wisdom. When truth enters the soul it creates a pure moral taste that rejects impurity, trifling, joking, and flattering familiarity.
A good tree and a corrupt tree are known by what they produce, for the words, actions and deeds of the life reveal the character within, and everyone bears fruit of one kind or the other. That fruit is not profession, faith, prayers or exhortations, but deeds of goodness and fulfilled duty in the daily life, by which alone a professed Christian can be judged. In the judgment the question will be what fruit was borne rather than what was professed, for every person is rewarded according to works and the promises and blessings of God are conditional on obedience. No one can correct others while indulging an evil spirit himself, but must first renounce sin, be changed in heart, and become good before doing good. Such goodness is not given finished but is built by daily effort in cultivating what God has entrusted, restraining evil and letting truth take root in the heart until obedience bears its natural fruit.
Fruit Reveals Character
Character is shown by the fruit of the life, for words, actions and deeds reveal the quality of the tree, everyone bears fruit of some kind, a good character does not produce corrupt fruit and a corrupt character does not produce good fruit. Fruit means deeds of good acts and fulfilled duties, not profession, faith, prayers or exhortations, for being a Christian is living a Christian life. A minister's true standing as a Christian is proved by daily life and example to the flock, and believers and unbelievers can judge a professing Christian only by this fruit. Every person is judged and rewarded according to works, so in the judgment the question is what fruit was borne rather than how much was professed, and securing the immortal crown depends on that record. God does not excuse sin in those who have been enlightened, and His promises and blessings are conditional on obedience.
A mischievous disposition and an unsanctified tongue produce corrupt fruit in criticism and talebearing that spreads harmful influence. An accusing, censorious spirit is corrupt fruit proving the tree is evil. Those who laud and flatter the minister while neglecting the works of righteousness give unmistakable evidence that they are converted to the minister and not to God, revealing whether it was the voice of the Holy Spirit or merely the voice of man that was heard. Trifling, joking, and flattering familiarity are corrupt fruit showing a corrupt influence, such conduct is moral wrong that pollutes the soul and denies Christ, and it produces further coquetry and moral harm.
In a minister, selfishness, fretfulness, harshness, oddities, a mind constantly occupied with advantage for self, selfish dealing and taking advantage of others, and a withering, blighting influence that tears to pieces and wounds everywhere are corrupt fruit showing the tree is not good and is under God's frown. A course of action and influence that works opposite to being a blessing, listening to mercy's invitation, and leading another to Jesus, and that hinders another from seeking the Lord earnestly and repenting of sin, proves one to be not a tree in the Lord's garden but a bramble bush. Good fruit is a Christlike character and the fruits of the Spirit: patience, kindness, courtesy, tenderness and sympathy, with willingness in home life to concede ideas and opinions rather than manifesting superiority, harshness, coarseness and an imperious spirit, and in fullness holiness, mercy, truth, purity, and love; those who do not bear such fruit are not trees of righteousness.
Becoming Good Trees
Being good must come before doing good, for attempting to correct others while indulging an accusing, censorious spirit is useless self-righteousness. Fitness to help others requires first renouncing that spirit, confessing and forsaking one's own sin, and receiving a change of heart. Only when the heart has been humbled and refined and made tender by grace does its influence transform others, so that a life of blessing becomes as natural as a plant bearing its proper fruit.
A character fit for heaven is not to be expected without being built through daily effort, since the powers given by God are talents rather than a finished character, and their cultivation determines what the life produces. That building comes through diligently using one's abilities, making the most of providential opportunities, and staying connected to the Source of wisdom. Good qualities must be developed while evil traits are restrained and rooted out. If a demoralizing trait is not overcome it can corrupt the rest of a person's virtues, while a life shaped by cultivated goodness becomes harmonious with God's model. Joseph and Daniel are examples to follow in this work, and Christ is the perfect pattern.
Truth must take root in the heart and appear in righteous practice, for mere knowledge or profession of truth cannot save. Its principles must shape the character and produce holiness, mercy, truth, purity, and love, since corrupt inward character produces evil conduct. Obedience to God's commandments enables fallen people through Jesus to bear precious fruit, and God gave Israel definite commandments so their lives would distinguish them from other nations and show the nations their wisdom. When truth enters the soul it creates a pure moral taste that rejects impurity, trifling, joking, and flattering familiarity.