Fruit Inspectors and Builders

Luke 6:43-49

Jesus was very clear that we are not to judge others. We are too influenced by our own sin to make valid judgments, especially about the motivation and actions of others. Too often we confuse works and fruit. Works are the actions. Fruit is the result of those actions. Examining the results gives us a clear picture of whether the actions were effective or beneficial. To help us understand what he is teaching, Jesus used the example of a fruit tree.

“For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:43-45)

To identify a tree by it’s bark or leaves requires a knowledge of the different species of trees. The leaves are typical of the work of the tree, because without making them the tree dies and produces no fruit. The quality and quantity of the fruit is largely controlled by the photosynthesis in the leaves, and indicates how healthy the tree is.

The kind of fruit, however, is controlled by the genetics of the tree. Only apple trees produce apples, for example. To identify an apple takes very little knowledge about the tree. If the tree produces apples, it is an apple tree. If it produces anything else, it is not an apple tree. By examining the fruit, we can tell what kind of tree it is, as well as how healthy it is.

In the same way, we can examine the results of a person’s actions to see what kind of person they are and how healthy they are spiritually. Matthew 7:20 states, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” While we are not to judge the person, we are to examine the fruit. If the fruit is rotten, we should avoid mixing it in with good to avoid causing rot in the rest.

The final parable in this passage uses the illustration of a builder laying a solid foundation to illustrate the importance of developing a sound biblical basis for living. Failure to do so is like building a house without a foundation.

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49)

Studying the word of God is like digging the trench for a foundation. We need to dig into the word of God until we hit solid rock truth. Once the foundational truth is found, we carefully build a life according to what God has directed. When we do so, the final result is a life that will not be shaken by the raging storms around us. The man who does not take the time to find out what God teaches or to act on it has no basis for resisting the trials that will surely come. It will only be a matter of time before he collapses.

People often talk about how much they love the lord and speak of him as Lord, but their behavior does not support their claims. I have no idea how many drunks have tried to tell me how much they love the Lord but, as we know, actions speak louder than words. Their behavior indicates otherwise. Saying Lord is meaningless if we do not obey him, as Jesus stated.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.” (John 14:23-24)

Before we can keep his commandments, we are going to have to dig in and find out what they are. Only then will we know what we should be doing. John 14:21 makes this clear. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

Children will frequently do something else than what their parents asked them to do and expect to be praised even though what they were supposed to do was not done. The parents may not be satisfied because it is deliberate disobedience. They may withhold rewards, or even punish the child for disobedience. When we fail to do what God has commanded, we make it clear we are more concerned with pleasing ourselves than with pleasing him.