Jesus said, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 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 7:15-20)
Fruit inspection
Jesus is made known by his followers. Jesus’ followers are known by the outward evidence of their lives – something the Bible likens to “fruit.” So, it’s time for a fruit inspection.
Texts to study in relationship to fruitfulness are John 15:1-17 and Galatians 5:22-25.
Apart from Christ, you and I can produce nothing. Nada. Zilch. Here’s a simple fruit inspection guideline: If what you are doing is out of alignment with God’s demonstrated will revealed in the Scriptures, then what you are doing is bearing false witness and what you are producing is bad fruit. The reverse principle also applies.
What we produce is evaluated by God. Indeed, our spiritual fruit production is being inspected day by day. So, what kind of harvest is your life producing for the Kingdom of God?
Is the fruit of the Spirit in evermore abundant evidence?
Are you cultivating a harvest of righteousness?
Is there greater evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control falling from your life in 2009 than there was in 2008? If not, then be encouraged to re-read John 15:1-17 and submit yourself to God’s pruning.
Fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree
It is cliché to say that someone is a chip off the old block and that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but clichés are clichés because they are commonly held to be true.
Those who are intimately connected to Jesus Christ and draw their life from Him, will in turn, produce righteous or good fruit. Genuine fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control. The reverse is also true. When we have lost our intimate and real connection to Jesus, we stray into thinking and actions that are equally disconnected from Him.
We know that in 2008, at least $92,500 was sent by the PCUSA to ACORN. When agencies of the PCUSA choose to fund organizations like ACORN, a fruit inspection is needed.
- What is flawed in our process of discernment and financial accountability that funds given to the denomination would be channeled for use by an organization like ACORN?
- How much money has been “granted” to ACORN in 2009 by agencies and entities of the PCUSA?
Call your presbytery, call your synod office, call those serving in the Presbyterian Hunger Program and in the Self-Development of People unit and the Washington Office and ask them to disclose to you the numbers. Tell them you are doing a fruit inspection and you want to know. It’s your money and it’s your witness in the world. It is the way in which we, as Presbyterians, are “known” in the world and it is rotten fruit.
- Presbyterian Hunger Program Coordinator, Ruth Farrell, 888-728-7228 x5816
- Jarvie Commonweal Service Director, Margaret Reiff, 212-870-2967
- Self Development of People Coordinator, Cynthia White, 888-728-7228 x5780
- Washington Office Associate, Leslie Woods, 202-543-1126
We all will be called to account one day.
Let us begin by calling one another to account here and now.