Fruit

Genesis 22; Matthew 21

Fruit. God desires us to have fruit that is in accordance with the inner salvation we have received from Jesus Christ, His Son. This is fruit that proves our faith in Him. This is fruit that shows the world around us that we are truly believers. This is fruit that allows us to identify true brothers and sisters. This is eternal, non-perishing fruit.

2 examples:

1. Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22. God had already counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness earlier in the book of Genesis; however, God wanted to test Abraham to see if he would prove his faith in God. Therefore, God asks him to do what seems insane…sacrifice his only son, which he waited 100 years to get!!! Abraham, without delay, goes and does just that. Of course, the end of the story is that God provides a ram for the sacrifice, but only after Abraham had his son tied up, and had raised the knife to slaughter him. Abraham’s faith was proven to God in this moment, and God ultimately confirms his covenant with Abraham right after. We see Abraham’s fruit confirming his inward faith in God Almighty.
2. In Matthew 21, Jesus is hungry, and sees a fig tree. This fig tree has leaves as if it is in full bloom, but when Jesus gets up to it there is no fruit. He gets upset with the tree, and curses it…the tree withers accordingly. Later in this chapter, the religious leaders of the people of Israel challenge Jesus’ authority. When Jesus challenges them in return, they back down and have no response (Matthew 21:23-27). However, Jesus does not stop there. He proceeds to tell them of two parables. Both of these parables show the hypocrisy of the religious establishment in Israel. They are tripping on the cornerstone, which is Christ, and could not see that what John the Baptist was preaching was from God. They are just like the fig tree from earlier in the passage: outwardly they look like they are in full bloom, but when you get up close, you realize that they do not produce fruit because they have not truly been changed on the inside. They are the opposite of Abraham.

God knows where our hearts stand with Him without seeing our fruit. However, He chooses to test us anyway, to sanctify us and to draw us closer to Him. He weeds out those who are not true and faithful, and draws those in who are. Lord God, I ask that I will be proven faithful when I am tested in this life. Help me to understand that you desire good works and fruit in my life, not for salvation, but for proclamation of your Kingdom and declaration of my faith in and dependence on You. Help me to be like Abraham, and not like the Pharisees. I need you Jesus, and I need guidance from your Spirit. Amen.