Knowing Isn’t Doing
Many people sitting in pews have some or a lot of biblical knowledge. But sitting in a pew doesn’t earn you heaven. It’s a question of fruit. Does your life reflect and produce the fruit of a connected walk with God? Or does it present a misleading appearance which promises but doesn’t deliver? I’m thinking of Jesus walking back to town after a night in Bethany. The Bible says He became hungry and spotted a lone fig tree by the road with leaves but no fruit. He cursed it and it withered at once (Matt. 21:19).
You probably know that Jesus doesn’t just do something to be doing it. There’s always a message, be it a parable to point to a spiritual truth, or the overt act of chasing the money changers out of the temple…or cursing a fig tree.
I believe the fig tree is analogous to today’s church;
people dressing up and smiling, giving to others the presumption of having their act together and all-in for God. The fig tree is a warning to anyone fitting this category. The Bible tells us, “The one who practices righteousness is righteous…the one who practices sin is of the devil” (1 Jn.3:7,8). It goes on to say in verse 10, “by this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God.” It reminds me of the line from Forest Gump, “stupid is as stupid does.”
We are not to be fruit inspectors. And we need to check the log in our own eye before railing at others. But we are to be discerning and hold our brothers and sisters accountable. If there’s no fruit in a “believer’s” life, it’s highly probable they may be deluded about what a relationship to God should look like.
What does it mean to “practice” righteousness?
Consider the analogy of piano practice or football practice. It’s the same concept. Practice produces consistency; habitual behavior that becomes part of your persona. Start by asking yourself, “What is righteousness?” In simple terms, it’s obedience to a holy God who deserves it because of His love as expressed in His Son’s death on our behalf. Second Peter 1:5-11 gives a more detailed list of godly characteristics for our pursuit: diligence, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love, and then adds, “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When we are truly in God’s family, not just outwardly, but with a changed heart, the Holy Spirit lives in us and produces His fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22,23).
If you are on the outside looking in,
beware of the false teachers who abound in these last days. Listen to Peter’s warning: “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words.” (2 Pet. 2:1-3). And one more warning from Paul to the Corinthian church: “…for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” (2 Cor. 11:14,15).
Part of practicing righteousness includes daily forays into God’s word. This is the only way you will get to know God’s heart (Ps. 119:38), God’s love for sinners like you and me (Jn. 3:16), and His plan to include you in His new heaven (1 Thess. 4:16,17): “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
This may all sound crazy or confusing to you.
It’s all true. Find a friend whose life reflects what we’ve been talking about and tell him you want to know the Jesus of the Bible, who died in your place so you could live with Him in His place (heaven) for eternity. Make sure he knows the right Jesus. There are a lot of imposters out there. Also, you can click here for an appendix titled Steps To Salvation. It outlines God’s position and yours. Don’t wait. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Thanks for reading.