Leaves or Fruit

Just recently I had a question put to me that, at first, seemed so simplistic as to be ridiculous.

The question was, ”What is the difference between the leaves and fruit of a tree?” My unspoken response was, “Everything!  They are different in shape, in texture, in colour…… the list seemed endless.” But then I went a little further and the question began to make sense. “What is the difference in purpose between the leaves and the fruit?”

I still didn’t grasp the reasoning behind the question until the answer was given. “The leaves are for the benefit of the tree, but the fruit is for the benefit of others.”

Now I know you might argue the finer points of that statement, but, in essence, it is true. The leaves of the tree are grown so that the tree can capture light and produce the food that the tree needs to grow. The fruit, on the other hand, is generally produced for the benefit of others, whether it be in the form of fruit, berries, nuts or seeds.

Having explained the reasoning behind the question, my friend added, “And that, my friend, is the difference between a true follower of Jesus and the hypocrite that just claims to be one.”

I had to agree with him. So often people look at those who profess to be Christian and despise what they see in them as what they witness is hypocrisy – so called Christians saying one thing and doing another. Such “Christians” are just like trees that bear no fruit. 

During His life on earth, Jesus had much to say about hypocritical emptiness. He used parables to speak about the emptiness of a self centred life and used the picture of a fruitless tree to illustrate His teaching. But His teaching was not all negative. He had much to say about the positive as well and His Sermon on the mount gives us so much by way of how our lives should focus on integrity within and love and kindness to others.

On another occasion He came across a fig tree when He was feeling hungry. When He looked for figs on the tree, He found none - there was nothing but leaves. As a result, Jesus cursed the tree and it immediately withered.

So what are the marks of a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ? Well, Jesus Himself, when referring to those who were false, said “By their fruits you shall know them.”  If that is the case, what are the fruits that should be seen in every true Christian?

The apostle Paul takes up this theme and describes what he calls “the fruit of the Spirit” in his letter to the Galatians. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” But when you think about it, these qualities describe the character of the Lord Jesus so well so it would be expected that they should also characterise His followers as well.

The question is a personal one. If you claim to be a Christian, are you showing the fruit that confirms it? Or are there nothing but leaves?

DAILY MESSAGES WITH MEANING (07/10/24)

Written by STEPHEN TRESEDER 

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