Notes on Good Fruit

In Matthew 7:16 - 19 trees are a metaphor for men and fruits the metaphor for our works.

Not all people who call themselves Christians are going to heaven. Many who profess Christ, maybe the person next to you in Church, maybe you, maybe me, will go to hell. We are saved by the gift of grace through the gift of faith. Many of us call ourselves Christian but are not truly saved. These verses give us the key. If a person is saved he has the gifts of grace and faith and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within him. This change should manifest its self in good works. If there is no physical manifestation of change towards a more Godly life then one must wonder if the gift of salvation was truly given. However we are not called to judge our neighbor nor if they lack salvation can we argue them into salvation. If we see a brother in Christ whose life manifests no good fruits we should offer God's word and pray that God will grant them salvation. Special thanks to John Bingham Geib

The Book of Mathew Chapter 7 Full Text

References in Scripture

Matthew 7:16 - 20

Matthew 7:16 - 20

7:16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do [men] gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

7:20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

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To Understand my faith better I have decided to construct these pages. They are strictly educational, non-commercial and to foster scholarly discussion. All Bible quotes are from the American Standard Version unless otherwise stated. I use the ASV because while not a perfect translation it is literal and out of Copyright. All mistakes are my own and if you differ from my thoughts I welcome your comments. J. Barry O'Connell Jr.