Lessons from the Heart
Has your tree produced good fruit?
By Pastor Dan Gottschalk

It is fall and the harvest is well underway. Not only are the corn and soybeans ripe for harvest, but the fruit of the trees are also evident.

Walnuts cover my backyard. The apple tree is loaded; even the new apple trees have a crop adoring their branches. The bounty of the trees is not only a great joy, but also a landowner's expectation. I planted apple trees expecting an apple harvest. I planted peach trees expecting a harvest of peaches. When we purchased the property with walnut trees, we expected a harvest of walnuts.

The scripture uses trees and harvest as an analogy for people. In Mathew, Jesus says you shall know a person's beliefs and the conduct those beliefs lead to by "their fruits." A good tree, a tree rooted in faith, cannot bring forth bad fruits, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. "Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them."

The outward signs, the signs that are visible to the world of those who claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior, is good fruit. By their actions, by their attitude, and by their deeds, you shall know them.

Paul in Galations provides us with great insight into leading a fruit-producing life. He tells us that the secret to good fruit production is allowing the Spirit of God to direct our thoughts and actions. That it is God in us that empowers us to overcome the things of this world and energizes us to do fruitful things.

God's Spirit in us makes us loving, gives us joy, peace, the ability to be long suffering, gentle, and good. God's Spirit gives us faith, meekness, and self-control. As we look at our own lives, "so let a man or woman examine themselves."

I have a question for you. If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

The test of faith is a heart examination, a heart examination that has its proof in actions, good deeds, and a great attitude. Those who are led by the Sprit produce fruit. Faith without works is not faith at all.

Dan Gottschalk is pastor at the Camden United Methodist Church.

Pray for our nation to seek God

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3 Pd. Adv.