LIVING A FRUITFUL LIFE

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt  tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them – Matthew 7.17 and 20

Faith without works is dead also – James 2.26b

When we look around us, we see God’s beautiful creation. God made different kind of trees. Some trees produce fruits for us to eat. If the tree is bad, it will produce bad fruits. And if the tree is good, it will produce good fruits.

That is the same with us people. If the source of our lives is good, we will produce good fruits. If that source is bad, we will produce bad fruits. Let’s think about the fruits in our lives.

The source of our fruits

God created Adam and Eve, the first people on earth[1]. Every moment of the day Adam and Eve praised and respected God in their words, deeds and thoughts. Their lives pleased God: they produced good fruits, such as love, joy, peace, kindness and faithfulness[2]. They did so, because the source of their lives (their hearts) was good[3]. They were connected to God Himself.

But one day Adam and Eve disobeyed God[4]. Everything changed. Instead of having good hearts, people are now born with bad hearts that produce bad fruits[5].

These bad fruits are called sins. We sin because of our bad hearts[6]. Sins displease God[7]. There are many sins, for example  impurity, anger, envy, divisions, idolatry, immorality, corruption, disrespect and covetousness[8]. The direction of our lives is self-centred instead of God-centred because of our sinful hearts[9]. Unless we are cleansed from our sins, we cannot be close with God and right in His eyes[10].

Paul’s life

In Philippians 3.6 Paul wrote that he was devoted to God. He did everything he could to please God. He was taught about God and knew more than the other people[11]. He was zealous and kept God’s law in every detail. Other people didn’t find any mistake in his life. Paul thought that he produced good fruits. When he saw other people producing bad fruits according to him, he did everything he could to stop them.

One day when Paul was on his way, God’s Son Jesus revealed Himself to him[12]. From that time on, Paul was taught by God. God taught him that it is impossible to bear good fruits if Jesus has not yet made our hearts to be good[13]. Paul learned that following the law or behaving well cannot solve the problem of our sins that separate us with God[14]. 

Maybe you think the same way as Paul thought. Maybe you think that God will allow you in Heaven because you are active in church and try your best. Maybe you think that God will accept you, because you do less sins than other people. Maybe you think your heart was changed when you stopped drinking alcohol or committing adultery. Well, a change in our lives doesn’t automatically mean a changed heart. Think of a chameleon: even if it changes colours, it is still the same chameleon. We need to be renewed completely before we are acceptable in God’s eyes and before we can produce good fruits that please Him[15]. The Bible calls this renewal ‘a new heart’ or ‘to be born again’.

Jesus, the Giver of new hearts

God wants people to receive a new heart from Him. He made a special way for people to be saved[16].

God’s Son Jesus came to earth[17]. He lived a perfect life. He didn’t bear bad fruits: He didn’t sin. His heart was good, because He is God’s Son. But people didn’t like Him teaching about their sinful hearts and their need for forgiveness[18]. They nailed Him on a cross and Jesus died[19]. But after three days Jesus rose from the dead[20]. He has all power and is alive[21]!

The Bible clearly tells us that our own deeds cannot reconcile us with God, but Jesus can[22]! Stop trying to produce good fruits in your own power if the tree (your heart) is still bad. Instead, humble yourself. Tell God about the bad fruits in your life (=confess your sin)[23]. Turn away from your sins and look to Jesus alone to cleanse you from your sins (=repent)[24]. Agree with what God says about your sinfulness and surrender yourself to Him (=believe)[25]. Out of grace He will receive you, for He is good and merciful[26].

Jesus died and rose from the dead so that we can receive forgiveness and new hearts ruled by Him[27]. All who give up trying to change their hearts, but give their sinful hearts to Jesus, are right in God’s eyes. 

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus – Romans 3.24

Jesus renews His people. They will produce good fruits coming from a heart that was made good by Jesus[28].

Good fruits are essential

Good fruits are the result of being rooted in Jesus[29]. Jesus said that everyone who is in Him, bears much fruit[30]. Someone who doesn’t show good fruits, is not in Jesus[31]. The Bible says that such a person’s faith is dead. Good fruits are essential in faith.

God’s people will pray, share the Gospel, love and trust God, abstain from sin, love one another, obey Him and more. Yes, they can sin, but they will feel sorry about it and confess it to God to ask for forgiveness once they’ve understood they sinned.  

God’s people learn to bear more fruit. Through the Bible and in all different circumstances God teaches them to become more like Jesus and to glorify God[32]. One of the words the Bible uses for this life-long process is ‘to prune’[33]. Another word for learning more and more to live the way God wants is ’sanctification’[34]. It is important to be holy, because without holiness no one can be close to God Who is holy[35].

God’s judgement

In Romans 2.5 and 6 we read that God will reward us with what we deserve according to our works (our fruits). If our hearts weren’t changed during our lives and they still produce bad fruits, we will go to hell forever[36]. If your heart is bad, repent and believe in the Lord Jesus.

If Jesus has changed your heart and there are good fruits in your life, acknowledge God for what He has done for and in you. Never forget that it’s out of grace that your life is different from that of other people. Thank Him continuously and live a fruitful life to His glory[37]. One day when your life is over, God will take you home to be with Him in Heaven[38].

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So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God – Colossians 1.10

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[1] Genesis 1 and 2, [2] Galatians 5.22, [3] Matthew 12.35, [4] Genesis 3, [5] Job 15.14, Psalm 51.5, Psalm 14.1-3, [6] Mark 7.21-23, Proverbs 20.9, [7] Isaiah 66.4, Colossians 1.21, [8] Galatians 5.19-21, [9] Romans 7.5, Ephesians 2.3, Romans 8.5 and 7, Genesis 6.5, [10] John 3.3, Titus 2.14, Isaiah 57.17, Ezekiel 39.24, [11] Philippians 3.4-6, [12] Acts 9, [13] Colossians 1.6, Philippians 1.11, [14] Romans 3.28, Galatians 2.16, [15] John 3.7, Ezekiel 36.26 and 27, 2 Corinthians 5.17, [16] Romans 5.6-8, [17] Luke 2, [18] John 6, [19] Matthew 27, [20] Matthew 28, [21] Romans 14.9, [22] 1 John 2.2, [23] 1 John 1.9, [24] Ezekiel 18.32, [25] Romans 4.5, [26] Romans 3.22-24, [27] Galatians 2.20, Colossians 2.11-14, Ephesians 2.5, [28] Ephesians 2.10, John 15.18, [29] Titus 2.14, [30] John 15.5, [31] James 2.26, [32] Romans 5.3-5, Colossians 1.10, [33] John 15.2, [34] Ephesians 5.26 and 27, Titus 2.14, [35] Hebrews 12.14, [36] Matthew 15.13, John 15.6, [37] Philippians 1.11, John 15.8, 1 Corinthians 6.20, [38] Revelation 22.14