Known by Their Fruit

Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31, 20:21). But the proof of this salvation will be shown by what one does. When the expert in religious law asked Jesus how to be saved, he acknowledged it was through loving God and others—proof of a changed heart. Although priests and Levites were religious people, leaders among God’s chosen nation, and served God through their daily duties in the temple, Jesus did not commend them in his parable. Rather, their actions of ignoring the man in need condemned them. The priest and Levite in Jesus’ parable did not have transformed hearts.

Jesus often warned about untransformed lives. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them…every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:15-20). The priest and Levite may have seemed like sheep with all their religious activity, but they were really wolves. Again Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers’” (Matthew 7:21-23).

However, the Samaritan—whose religious beliefs most likely differed from the Jews’—was exemplified by Jesus in this story. Jesus applauded the Samaritan’s actions—an example of a transforming heart. Jesus said that the Samaritan felt pity for the beaten Jew and showed him mercy. He helped take care of him and heal him. These are the kind of people Jesus accepts as his own. “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me” (in the context of Matthew 25:31-46).

Someone may perform all the right Christian duties, but if he hasn’t allowed Jesus to transform his heart, he may not be a true follower of Christ. Contrarily, God may be deeply at work in the heart of someone from a different religion—like Islam—whose actions show that transformation. He could be closer to salvation than the “Christian.” We need to evaluate our hearts. We need to observe our actions. Do we really live transformed lives due to the work of Jesus Christ within us? “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13).