BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM – “BEARING” THE “FRUIT” AND “DOING” THE “WILL”

How does one know who is a Christian? What signs or indications should we look for, to identify a Christian? Does the Bible give us some means to know who is Christian? It does, thankfully; and I call it “The Test of ‘Knowing’ Him.” 

Please allow me to caution ourselves, right at the start – do not go looking into others, if they are Christian or not. This is not the purpose of this meditation. In fact, the Bible too doesn’t suggest this. We are called to look into ourselves, and see, if we are being truly a Christian or not. This is the line we should be taking.
– “41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” – Luke 6:41-42

A Christian is not someone who believes the Nicean Creed, or believes a theologically sound evangelical statement of faith, or some such theoretical confessions, doctrines and the dogmas. Inherently there is nothing wrong with such confessions themselves. However, the faith that the Bible talks about, both in the Old and the New Testament, is that of a faith, that is seen in practice, and not just in theory. If only theoretical confessions, mental acceptance, ritualistic attendance of Church, and obeying its dogmas were the criteria, then probably, the devil would be counted as, the first and the best Christian. 

The LORD Jesus had said this, while speaking to His followers and disciples – “By their fruits ye shall know” for every tree is known by the fruit it produces. What we produce as fruit, is important and essential, in indicating our status as Christians. It is not, and never was, to glibly recite some confessions, dogmas and doctrines, to make one a Christian.
– “43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” – Luke 6:43-46

The LORD Jesus, at an another instance, speaking to his followers and disciples, says something, that should stir us deeply, and unsettle us from our comfortable confessions. 
– “21 “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” – Matthew 7:21-23

It is important to note that, “Not to have good fruit is to have evil: there can be no innocent sterility in the invisible tree of the heart. He that brings forth no fruit, and he that brings forth bad fruit, are both only fit for the fire.” – Adam Clarke

What are the fruits, then? What are those signs? Is there a connection between “bearing good fruit” and “doing the will of My Father?” Are they both, one and the same? For this morning’s meditation, let us stop here, and reflect on the above two verses. 
– Let us read them again, and seek the LORD to help us gain deeper insight into His words, spoken in Luke 6:43-45, and Matthew 7:21-23.
– Let us also look into ourselves, and see, how are things within us?
May the LORD help us to be honest and truthful in evaluating ourselves. May we sincerely seek Him, to help us live for Him in a manner, that pleases our LORD, in our thoughts, words and deeds. Even so the LORD help us.