For every tree is known by its own fruit. While Jesus warns us against judging he understands that we still need to make decisions about our values, what we consider important. In particular we need to evaluate how to heed those who are in leadership. “Do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t work very well. They key to this evaluation is what Jesus calls “the fruits.” By their fruits you will know them. Jesus provided a description of the fruits to look for in the parable about the final judgment: are the hungry being fed, the naked clothed, the sick visited, the stranger welcomed, the homeless housed? Those are the fruits of a true follower of Jesus and whoever wraps themselves in the mantle of faith should be working to produce these kinds of fruits if they are to be taken as worthy of emulation.
MARCH22025
By Church Staff
