Scripture :

Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. – Matthew 7:20 NLT

Observation:

Near the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began to address issues about people judge others. He told his audience that the measure they use to judge will be the standard by which they’ll be judged. He also noted that false teachers would come and deceive people, but they can be identified by the Fruit they produce – their actions! Good trees produce good fruit and bad trees bad fruit.

Application:

The message from the passage is clear and concise today. If we are disciples of Jesus, then we should be producing good fruit, some 100, 60, or 30 fold.

People watch us in this life and take note of our behavior daily. Then they determine whether we really are true Christians , based on how we treat others. Jesus taught us in this passage to treat others the way we want to be treated , which is the basis of the whole Old Testament – love your neighbor as yourself.

How are we treating others? Do we preach good news to the poor, heal the sick, cause the blind to see, free the captive, comfort the brokenhearted, and proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD?

Do we feed the hungry or give water to the thirsty? Do we tale in a stranger or clothe the naked or heal the sick or visit those in prison? What does the world see us do? Can they tell by your actions that you’re a true child of the LORD?

Prayer:

Father of our LORD Jesus the Messiah, you’re the supreme ruler of the universe and are alone worthy to be praised! May your name, YHWH, be exalted above all! Oh that others may look at me and know that I alone your child. May they see the good works I do and give you Glory as Messiah has commanded. I want others to see me doing only your will and producing good fruit, those actions that bring glory to your name and benefit others in need. I repent of any behavior of mine that has not brought you glory and may caused others to see in a light that isn’t reflecting your glory. May your will be done, and yours alone. I want to be known by my actions/fruit as a loving and godly person who truly serves the most high God, YHWH! Amen.