Tag: By their fruit you will know them

Word made flesh

There is a great debate of ideas right now; happening online and in the ether. There is a collision of world views. I was watching a podcast I like, goes by the name of Ideas that Matter or something like that and I was struck by an idea. Not mine, but striking none the less.

We seem to believe that ideas change minds. That ideas are the catalyst for great societal shifts. This isn’t precisely true. Yes the ideas matter, but the belief in these ideas is more important. The holder of this belief shows through their actions how they see the world. It is the believer, living out their ideas, that changes the world.

Jesus was the epitome of this idea. He came to earth so we could see God. The idea of God took form. The word was made flesh. We as his followers need to do our best to know him and act like him. Our ideas need to be visible in our actions.

Believers change the world.

Matthew 7: 15 – 20 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Sounds like home

I remember as a child holding a big conch shell up to my ear. Some adult urging me to try it. If I held it to my ear, I’d be able to hear the sea.

I held it up to my ear, it sounded breezy and muffled. I was skeptical. I cupped my hand and placed it over my ear. The sound was different. Had I thought to try it with a coffee mug my skepticism would have been founded, as the sound is similar, but I didn’t.

This seashell was plucked from the sea, but if you listen close it whispers of its home. You could bring home a vial of sea water. It would look no different from slightly murky salted water. Or you could bring a jar of sand. Neither the water nor the sand will tell you where they came from. But the shell will, if you care to listen.

This is like humans. If we watch and listen, we can know where people are from. Not identifying their country by their accents, but rather to whom their loyalties lie. We can hear where they belong. I hope our lives whisper to those around us and let them know that we have a home with God.

Matthew 7: 16 – 20 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.