Known by Fruit

“They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.  They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”- Titus 1:16

There is a quote by Brennan Manning that says “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and get on with their lifestyle.  That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”  The world is watching what we do, and Christ said that we will be known by out fruit.

If we are genuine believers in Christ then good works will flow from our lives.  We may not start charities, but we can be charitable to the person on the street, at work, or anywhere else.  In today’s verse Paul calls those who proclaim Christ, but not live it, as disobedient and unfit.  Does this describe you?  I pray that it does not, but it may describe many who call themselves Christian but whose lives don’t match up.  Our profession of faith and our lives should not be a contradiction.  When it does the book of James calls our faith “dead”.  A faith that produces no work is a dead faith (James 2:17).  Examine your life today.  Is your lifestyle in line with your faith?  Have a great day and God bless!