Trees and fruit

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree hear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.” (Lk 6:43-44)

We have all seen evidence of things that seem to be good, and yet over time, they bear bad fruit. In Jesus’ own words, if the fruit is bad, so is the tree. In some cases the tree is an idea that seemed good. When tried out, our ideas can bring good fruit if they have been directed by the Lord. In other cases, the idea can bring bad fruit, evidence that they were not directed by the Lord.

This happens with the interpretation of scriptures and their application to our lives. We need to have the eyes to see whether or not our interpretation and application of scriptures is bearing good fruit, or bad. If our application of a scripture into daily practice causes us to disobey another scripture, we should ask God for wisdom. The Holy Spirit is ready to help us with discernment. But if we continue to practice our faith in a way that causes disobedience to other scriptures, then we will bear bad fruit.

Today I will address a scripture that has born much bad fruit in the churches. Now, no scripture is bad. All scripture is God-breathed and should pass along the Life that causes us to bear good fruit. One scripture that is leading to bad fruit through mis-interpretation is as follows;

“We beseech you brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;” (1 Thess 5:12). In many Christian circles this is interpreted as “If we don’t know you, you cannot serve God here.” Therefore a custom of “knowing” has evolved whereby letters of reference are sent to precede ministers and lay people who serve the Lord. In the end, some ministry will only take place because of who knew who. The person seeking to minister must build himself a reputation, or know someone who has a reputation and will commend him to others. This is bad fruit. In some circles we see boasting about what great things a person has done, or what a perfect life a person has lived. Of greater importance, though, is that the practice of refusing ministry by people who are new or unknown is unscriptural, and in fact, is a disobedience to scripture.

Let’s see what Jesus had to say about receiving one another; “I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts Me; and whoever accepts Me accepts the One who sent Me.” (Jn 13:20) or as Matthew writes; “Whoever receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.” (Mt 10:40-41)

By receiving one another in the Lord we side-step the temptation to build an exclusive club of men and women who are allowed to speak in the churches and on the air waves. The rewards of the unknown prophets and righteous servants of the Lord are missing in many of our churches, leaving us hungry for something we cannot get from the “club”. God designed the Church so that it is He alone that supplies what it needs by putting those gifts in the people He chooses (1 Cor 12:18). If we refuse one of His servants, we essentially are saying that we don’t need them, and that is like the eye saying to the hand “I don’t need you.” (1 Cor 12:21). This is why some of our churches are bearing bad fruit. Today, let us examine the fruit we bear so that we find commendation in following the scriptures and not in the traditions of men. Amen