You Will Know Them By There Fruits

God is in the business of miracles and He does the same thing to all of those who are lost in this world and whose destiny is hopeless. He picks them up and carefully embraces them with His love. If they accept Him into their life, they find themselves miraculously transformed by His grace and before they know it, fruit is forth coming. Their life is filled with love and radiates with divine love.

One may wonder what kind of fruit Jesus is talking about in Matthew 7. The answer is found in that chapter itself.

To the amazement of many, Jesus first makes sure that we know what that fruit is not.

Matt 7:20-23 “Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly.” AMP

The fruit is clearly not just being a believer and is not just driving out demons in Jesus’ name and doing mighty works in Jesus’ name. But if these are not the fruit referred here, what could it be?

Very simple:

1. Matt 7:23 “I never knew you.” AMP That fruit is having a personal relationship with Jesus.

2. Matt 7:24 “So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock.” AMP That fruit is acting upon Jesus’ words and obey His voice.

3. Matt 7:25 “And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” AMP That fruit is finding it’s foundation on the rock of Jesus Christ.

In one word the fruit referred to here is living the real life of a Christian. What is a Christian, but one who follows Jesus Christ in everything he does? Jesus is the One who makes that fruit possible in our life, not us. As long as we depend on Him and develop a personal relationship with Him, fruit will come out!

Is your fruit coming out? If not, come to Jesus and accept Him

The Origin of the Word “Abide”

Abide is an old English word for “remain,” “stay steady” and “keep your position.” What it means to abide in Christ—that is, always to be resting on him, anchored to him, fixed in him, drawing from him, continually connected and in touch with him. There is no more precious lesson to learn, no more enriching link and bond to cherish, no more vital connection to keep snug and tight, so that it never loosens, than this. Abiding in Christ brings peace, joy and love, answers to prayer, and fruitfulness in service. The abiding life is the abundant life.

– J. I.Packer and Carolyn Nystrom

J.I.Packer & Carolyn Nystrom, Abiding in Christ (LifeGuide Bible Studies), InterVarsity Press.

[8:45 PM, 7/25/2026] Jeannine T. Diaz: Life before God can be compared to a fruit tree. We as people are the trees, and the fruits that are in our trees are the things we did in life. “Fruit” can refer to: works, accomplishments, splendor, substance, good, results, produce, and production. These fruits reveal what type trees we are; they identify us. They reveal whether you are a good and healthy tree, or a bad and sickly type of tree. Our fruits, or lack thereof, reveal whether we are a profitable tree or just taking up soil. The fruits on your tree tell God and the world your character.

How Does The Branch Bear Fruit? ...

Not by incessant effort for sunshine and air, not by vain struggles , It simply abides in the vine, in silent and undisturbed union, and blossoms and fruit appear as of spontaneous growth.

How then shall a Christian bear fruit? By efforts and struggles to obtain that which is freely given? No

Answer :

there must be a full concentration of the thoughts and affections on Christ; a complete surrender of the whole being to Him; a constant looking to Him for grace."

Matthew 7:16–24 KJV 1900

Yea shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, yea that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 

Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

1.)The call to produce fruit :

John 15:1–8 KJV 1900

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth ( removing impure things , the action of clearing out . ) it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now yea are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

What kind of fruit does God expect from us ?

John 15:4 KJV 1900

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can yea, except yea abide in me.

Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and cannot be fruitful apart from me ( John 15 : 4 )

The Origin of the Word “Abide”

Abide is an old English word for “remain,” “stay steady” and “keep your position.” What it means to abide in Christ—that is, always to be resting on him, anchored to him, fixed in him, drawing from him, continually connected and in touch with him. There is no more precious lesson to learn, no more enriching link and bond to cherish, no more vital connection to keep snug and tight, so that it never loosens, than this. Abiding in Christ brings peace, joy and love, answers to prayer, and fruitfulness in service. The abiding life is the abundant life.

– J. I.Packer and Carolyn Nystrom

Abiding in Christ

Life before God can be compared to a fruit tree. We as people are the trees, and the fruits that are in our trees are the things we did in life. “Fruit” can refer to: works, accomplishments, splendor, substance, good, results, produce, and production. These fruits reveal what type trees we are; they identify us. They reveal whether you are a good and healthy tree, or a bad and sickly type of tree. Our fruits, or lack thereof, reveal whether we are a profitable tree or just taking up soil. The fruits on your tree tell God and the world your character.

Following Christ ought to yield fruitful results.

Christ is the vine, and God is the gardener who cares for the branches to make them fruitful.

ANSWER : Born - Again Believers

The branches are all those who claim to be followers of Christ. The fruitful branches are the true believers who by their living union with Christ produce much fruit .

But to those who become unproductive —those who turn back from following Christ after making a superficial commitment — will be separated from the vine.

Unproductive followers are as good as dead and will be cut off and tossed aside.

God expects many different kinds of fruit .

Fruit is not limited to winning souls. in this chapter, answered prayers, joy, and love are mentioned as fruit ( Jn 15 : 7, 11-12 ) ( Gal 5 :22- 24 , 2 Pet 1 : 5-8 ) describe additional fruit : qualities of christian character .

Apart from Christ, there is no real fruitfulness.

Many people try to be good, honest people who do what is right. But Jesus says that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to Him, like a branch attached to the vine. Apart from Christ our efforts are unfruitful.

QUESTION : Are you receiving the nourishment and life offered by Christ, the vine ? If not, you are missing a special gift He has for you.

Matthew 3:1–12 KJV 1900

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent yea: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare yea the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Even now the ax of God’s judgement is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. ( Mat 3 : 10 )

Spiritual fruit is a natural by-product of GOD’S presence. Just as a fruit tree is expected to bear fruit, God’s people should produce a crop of good deeds. God has no use for people who call them Christians but do nothing about it .

Like many people in John’s day who were God’s people in name only, we are of no value if we are Christians in name only. If others can’t see our faithin the way we treat them, we may not be God’s people at all .

2.) Abiding in Jesus Christ :

John 15:1–8 KJV 1900

Abide (to sit , dwell, or remain, live in , hold fast to, obey the teachings of Jesus ) in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can yea, except yea abide in me. I am the vine, yea are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me yea can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If yea abide in me, and my words abide in you, yea shall ask what yea will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that yea bear much fruit; so shall yea be my disciples.

CLOSING :

Active obedience produces spiritual fruit !

God’s message hasn’t change since the Old Testament — people will be judged for their unproductive lives.

God calls us to be active in our obedience.

John compared people who claim they believe God but don’t live for God to unproductive trees that will be cut down.

To be productive for God , we must obey His teachings , resist temptation , actively serve and help others , and share our faith .

Life before God can be compared to a fruit tree. We as people are the trees, and the fruits that are in our trees are the things we did in life. “Fruit” can refer to: works, accomplishments, splendor, substance, good, results, produce, and production. These fruits reveal what type trees we are; they identify us. They reveal whether you are a good and healthy tree, or a bad and sickly type of tree. Our fruits, or lack thereof, reveal whether we are a profitable tree or just taking up soil. The fruits on your tree tell God and the world your character.

Do Christians Live Differently?

Now of course, none of us is perfect, and all of us fail in all kinds of ways. That is why we often protect ourselves a bit when we say things like, “Don’t look at me, or don’t look at Christians; look at Jesus.” 

Well, yes, we should never boast. And yes, we do want people to focus on Christ, not on ourselves. But sometimes that kind of thinking and speaking can be an excuse for not even trying to obey Christ’s command to love one another. 

For, according to John, the world should be able to look at Christians and Christian churches and see something that demonstrates the reality of God. They should be able to see God in action.

– Christopher H. J. Wright

Question is : How productive are you for God ?