1 Timothy 5:24-25
The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
Tag: The Fruit ALWAYS Indicates the Tree
If you want to know if the tree is an apple tree or a peach tree, the only thing you have to do is wait to see the fruit. If you look at the roots of each tree and on the roots, you may not know what type of tree it is. But, if you wait and observe the leaves and the fruit it bears, you will have no doubt. At first it may not be evident, but, in the end it will be evident. This is what Paul is telling us in the above passage. Everyone’s fruit is “conspicuous.” Those who have sins will eventually appear to show. Those who have good righteous fruit will eventually begin to show. The context of the above verses is found in the instructions that Paul is giving Timothy about selecting elders. He has already told Timothy not to select those who are young in the faith. Now he is talking about those who “might” have slipped in their faith. Timothy is told not to “prejudge” but to wait to see the fruit. This echos Jesus words to His disciples:
Matthew 7:15-20
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
We are to not prejudge, but to wait as the fruit of the life we are observing demonstrates their walk with Christ or their walk with evil. Evil works are, according to Paul, “conspicuous.” Good works are, according to Paul, also “conspicuous.” We only have to wait, not prejudge, and let the fruit speak for itself.
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