Matthew 7:15- 20 – Jesus said “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
I drove by a house once that had some of the most beautiful, colorful flowers I had ever seen. The ones close to the house were spectacular. Being a flower-aholic, I slowed down whenever I passed by that way just to admire those beautiful looking flowers. It wasn’t until one very cold winter day after an early snowfall that I passed by that way and noticed those same colorful flowers sticking out of the snow! They were fake! Apparently the owner hadn’t removed them and when I realized that they were fake I laughed out loud! It was incredible. They looked so real from afar off. All winter long those colorful flowers stuck out of the snow and I laughed to myself every time I passed by there.
It reminds me of the parable Jesus taught when He was here on earth. In Luke 10 verses 25 to 37 an “expert” in the Law tried to test Jesus and asked what the greatest commandment was. Jesus told him it was to love the Lord your God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. Being so “religious” and wanting to justify himself the “expert” asked Jesus “who is my neighbor”? Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is important to remember that in Jesus’ day the Jews despised the Samaritans and vice versa.
In reply Jesus said “A man (probably Jewish) was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denari and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” Jesus asked . The “expert” in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
I think it is hilarious that Jesus told this “expert” this parable. How many of us who call ourselves Christians just go through the motions of church attendance without ever really producing any fruit? How many of us actually pray for our “enemies” let alone show them kindness? Like that house with the fake flowers, if I would have gotten up close to them I would have seen that they didn’t produce any fragrance or attract any bees. In the same way, Christ wants us to produce fruit and show our love for Him by acts of love and kindness towards others. Then people will know we are His!
If you are a Christ follower what can you do today to show love and kindness
to someone who is not like you?
From Crimson To Snow is copyrighted material
Hello! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading your blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same subjects? Thanks a lot!|
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Try Marysfingerprint.com
amazing
I needed to thank you for this wonderful read!! I certainly loved every bit of it. I have you book marked to look at new things you post…|
Thanks for sharing
Keep on working, great job!
amazing
amazing
Nice article
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your website is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What an ideal website.
Thank you and The Creator seeks a relationship with you!
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thank you
Hello and thank you for your kind words. I had in mind what I wanted and then chose the Silverbird theme from WordPress. Many blessings on your endeavors!
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.Proverbs 3:6
Some truly fantastic blog posts on this site, regards for contribution.
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!
Hi, very nice website, cheers!
Almost all of what you mention happens to be astonishingly legitimate and it makes me ponder the reason why I hadn’t looked at this in this light previously. Your piece truly did switch the light on for me personally as far as this specific subject goes. Nonetheless at this time there is actually one position I am not necessarily too cozy with so while I attempt to reconcile that with the actual core theme of the position, allow me see just what all the rest of your visitors have to say.Nicely done.
Thank you very much and remember God can handle your questions. He knows your heart. I truly consider it an honor to have been able to “switch the light for you” !
Whatever you are attempting to reconcile I earnestly pray for God to show you the Answer.
I am the True Vine and my Father is the Gardener. John 15:1
Hi, just required you to know I added your site to my Google bookmarks due to your layout. But seriously, I believe your internet site has 1 of the freshest themes Ive come across. It extremely helps make reading your blog significantly easier.
silk flowers
We are reminded to:
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone,” Col. 4:5-6(NIV)
So true! You never know how your kindness can impact someone!