Proof in the Fruit
Proof in the Fruit
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.” (Matthew 12:33)
The idea that it is possible to judge whether or not a man is a Christian by the outward manifestations of his life is an idea that Jesus rejected on several occasions. The disciples asked if they were to root up the tares that the enemy had planted in the midst of the wheat. The Lord told them that they were to let them alone, for in seeking to destroy tares they might root up some of the wheat. God has His program of good works which He desires the believer to experience. He tells us that the born again ones have been "created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that ye should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10), but He also tells us that some Christians are "babes in Christ," and are "carnal," walking as unsaved men so that it would be difficult for the outsider to tell the difference (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
We must never forget that God told us that when we are looking for the devil we must not forget to look, among other places, in the pulpit. In writing of the "false prophets and deceitful workers," the Holy Spirit said, through Paul, that these were "transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). These ministers of righteousness may have beautiful characters, but their doctrines sweep like a blow–torch across the lives of men, scorching and withering all with whom they come in contact.
Men must be born again. God cannot be satisfied with the saccharine substitute of the self–righteous. The character efforts of the human heart can take men to hell but never to Heaven - men must be born again. The tree must be made good and the fruit good, or the day will come when men will be forced to come out from under their false thinking and accept themselves for what God knows them to be children of the devil. For this seems to be the inner meaning of the name that Jesus Christ called these men. They were a generation of vipers. Way back in the book of Genesis, where we read of the first appearance of Satan as a malignant enemy, we find him called a serpent. In the last book of the Bible God speaks of him as "that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan" (Revelation 20: 2).
Dr. Barnhouse is not encouraging a judgmental attitude but rather godly wisdom. Actions alone are not proof of righteousness. Rather it is divine grace that transforms in the inner man that produces good fruit.
Further Reading: Matthew 12:33-37
