When we preach the gospel to non-Christians, we often hear their saying that there is no good people among Christians, such as Mr. So-and-so in our company, who is no match for unbelievers. Then what's wrong with Christians today? They are the salt and the light of the world, but why can't they produce good fruits in their life?
It reminds me of two Bible verses. Psalm 1:3 claims, "That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither- whatever they do prospers." And John 15:1-2 says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
Trees represent those who are saved
The Bible describes people as trees that represents those who are saved. Our nature used to be thorns and thistles, but God chooses us and plants us, transforming our lives from thorns into trees. There are different trees. Trees are planted by their master rather than perish on their own.
Christian are supposed to be good trees. We're chosen not because we have greater virtues than the Gentile. He chooses us to graft us, wild olive shoots, onto that holy tree root. So the Lord spoke to his disciple, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last-and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." (John 15:16)
Fruit refers to heavenly life
A tree yielding fruit signifies that people live out the life. Fruit is considered as the essence of a tree, like apples, grapes and olives. Trees store the energy from the sun and nutrients absorbed from the oil in the form of fruits. Tree fruits indicate the outflow of one's disposition after experienced God's grace and edification in his life.Bearing fruit shows that people have the Lord's life inside and live out a life worthy of the life.
Genesis 1:11 states, "Then God said, 'Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.' And it was so." It tells that God created trees to let them grow fruits. There is a seed inside a fruit, which shows that this fruit comes from the tree and has fertility. Born of God, Christians reflect the manner of man made by God and their life gives life to the world. Trees bear fruits with seed and a seed grows into a tree that yield fruit. This reproduction breed in an endless succession.
Qualified Christians should yield fruit
The Bible shows that there are two kinds of tree, one that does bear fruit and the other that bears no fruit. Likewise, there are two types of Christians --- one producing fruit and the other producing no fruit. Their fates are different.
John 15:2 says, "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." The master plants trees to enjoy their fruits. If a tree bears no fruit for a long time, it will be cut off. A Christian should be a true believe before God, but he can't be worthy of the name without growth and fruit.
John 15:8 tells, "This is to my Fatherʼs glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." Once a sister who has fervor is a leader in a church. One day an elderly brother said to her in Shanghai, "Sister, you should learn to be a sister." Astonished at his word, she was wondering why he could exhort her to do this for she is female.Actually, she was eager to be outdone while the Scripture teaches women to be gentle. The brother urged her to learn to live out gentleness.
Your fruit is related to the final end
If we follow the word of the Lord and live out the disposition of the Christ, we shall glorify God and edify people. We're Christians bearing fruits. Otherwise, we will be cut off by the Lord like the salt losing its saltness thrown out and trampled by men. It doesn't mean that we will have no part with the Lord but we will fail to witness in the Lord, losing inheritance in the glorious kingdom of Christ.
(http://www.gospeltimes.cn/index.php/article/index/id/39161 )
Translated by Karen Luo
