So then, you will recognize them by their fruit.
Matthew 7:20 NET
Yesterday, I posted about abiding in Christ and bearing fruit (John 15:1-2). If we are abiding in Christ, we will be fruitful. If not, we will be cast aside. But what is the fruit that we will bear when we are abiding in Christ?
A general definition of fruit is “any product of plant growth useful to humans or animals” (dictionary.com). We are not plants, but this definition can help us understand the fruit Jesus was talking about. We might define the fruit of believers as anything we produce that is useful to the kingdom of God.
Matthew 7:15-20 provides us with another way of looking at our fruit. This passage deals primarily with false teachers but contains a general principle about bearing fruit. The fruit that we produce reflects what we are. A thornbush produces thorns, and a fig tree produces figs, not because it is what they want to produce, but because it is what they are.
Being a Fruitful Vine
Even so, the one attached to Christ, the vine, will produce fruit in keeping with the life he gives us. In contrast, the one connected to the world will produce its fruit.
Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit as “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” This is the fruit that the Spirit produces through us when we are abiding in Christ. Ephesians 5:9 expresses the fruit of the light as consisting of “all goodness, righteousness, and truth.”
In contrast, Galatians 5:19-21 summarizes the fruit of life apart from Christ. Not everyone separated from the life of Christ will exhibit all these fruits. They may even display some fruit that appears to come from the Spirit. But their fruit will not be helpful to the kingdom and will generally be at odds with it.
So, how do you tell if a person is abiding in Christ? You should be able to recognize them by their fruit.
And, more importantly, how can you know that you are abiding in Christ? Is the fruit of the Spirit growing and developing in your life? If so, you can have assurance that you are connected to the life of Christ.
