The Word tells us that we should examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. We should not be fruit inspectors of others but of ourselves.
I believe that if we took the time to daily or should I say constantly to ask the Father if we have offended anyone or have brought shame upon God by our words and deeds. It would be a full time job that we would not have the time to inspect the fruit of others.
And what others do is in the Lord’s hands.
Paul’s instruction to the Galatians is worth repeating here:
2: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3: For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4: But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
5: For each man will have to bear his own load.
6: Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.
7: Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8: For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9: And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.
10: So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6: 1-10
Motivation counts. Are we choosing to be Christ-like for love of Christ?
Deeds count, if we are doing them out of love of Christ for Christ because he asked us to. Any other motive for deeds is from our flesh nature and will receive a flesh nature reward.
It’s probably fair to say that even when we are trying to do them for Christ we throw a bit of the flesh nature in anyway, but He knows our real motivation, and will weigh it accordingly.
We are especially called to do good to the household of faith, in other words to other believers...perhaps Paul said that because he knows it’s easier to do good to total strangers than to family sometimes, when feelings get high and frustrations kick in...but when we are mean spirited and biting to our fellow Christians, we are doing something dark.
I believe that if we took the time to daily or should I say constantly to ask the Father if we have offended anyone or have brought shame upon God by our words and deeds. It would be a full time job that we would not have the time to inspect the fruit of others.
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Very well put. Thanks tons.