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The Tree Is Known by Its Fruits

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The Tree Is Known by Its Fruits

7 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

“And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20).

In the beginning of this chapter, we read how the Lord became too strong for Saul—where the Lord brought him as a sinner upon his knees and opened his heart to sorrow after God. Here we see the free and sovereign grace of the Lord as it is experienced in the heart of such a man. Now the fruits of what the Lord has done cannot remain hidden, for it is impossible that he, who by true saving faith is ingrafted into Christ, will not bring forth fruits of thankfulness.

We clearly see the fruits in Paul’s life when we observe hatred turned into love. Formerly, Paul hated the disciples of the Lord Jesus, but now his heart is filled with love for them; he feels himself to be one with them. Not only was Paul happy with the disciples, the disciples were happy with Paul. “Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus” (Acts 9:19b). He now experienced—sweet are the ties that bind me to the dear children of the Lord.

Dear reader, how is it with us? Do we know that change wrought from heaven? Do we need and have other friends? Are there awakened desires that cause us to be present where God’s blessed gospel is proclaimed? Is there a hunger in your heart that looks to the One above, saying, “Lord, speak thou to my soul, I am thy salvation”? Or do we feel satisfied with the many outward performances? Is it enough to know and live the truth? Is that why there is such coldness in the heart? Do we now walk so high-minded, not missing or needing anything—being filled with something that has nothing to do with the grace of God in Jesus Christ? Remember, the Lord says that he who loves the world has not the love of the Father in him.

It is written of Paul that “straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues.” He did not need to be admonished to do this. His love for Christ and the burden he felt for souls were so great that he could not remain silent about that only Name given among men. He must speak, and he did that in the midst of friends and enemies. He now had compassion with the Jews who professed that they had no desire to hear about Christ. He wished that they could experience the same wonder God had made known in his own heart. With all his heart he longed to preach Christ as the only way for a lost sinner. He who had come breathing out threatenings and slaughter against God’s people now blew the trumpet of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Jews did not want to hear that trumpet. They did not mind seeing Christ as a great prophet, but they refused to view Him as the promised One.

Oh, what a wonder of God’s grace when a broken, humbled sinner may see and know Him as the promised One who said, “I have come to seek and save that which is lost.” There stands a lost sinner who has come to know a seeking Saviour. He now points to the One above saying—see the great love of the Father who gave His only begotten Son to make Him an offering for sin, to give Him as an only way unto the heart of the Father. He who walked among us, ate with us, and was nailed to the cursed cross—He is the Son of God, the promised One.

Here on earth God’s dear children call Christ the beloved One. That same love lives in the heart of the person speaking the words, “Come listen to me, that I may tell you what the Lord has done for me.” He can no longer be silent. He says, “If Christ has done this for me, can He not do it for you also?” Certainly, all of God’s children experience times of silence, times of weeping, but also times of speaking. When the Lord has sought for one who has never sought for Him, when the Lord has broken and humbled a heart that has hardened itself against all the callings that have come unto it, would we then not long to say—what a wonder of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ?

Is it, then, not the curse of our time that there are many who have so little to say? How can it be to God’s honor when His children go their way so silently? We miss that stripping work where all the fig leaves are taken away—when there remains no more than a wretched sinner and a holy God—-when there may be a coming under His righteous justice. The sacrifice will not remain wanting when Christ will say, “Father, deliver him; I have paid the price,” and when faith may look upon the sacrifice, then the mouths, however feeble they may be, now long to speak well of the King.


How can it be to God’s honor when His children go their way so silently?


Would that not have been Paul’s preaching? We read, “All that heard him were amazed.” When that blessed Word of God is proclaimed among us and nothing else takes place, we rise above that amazement, but it is certain that one day the Word that has caused us to be amazed will be a testimony against us. Of Paul we read, “That he increased the more in strength.” With him there was an increase in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Do you know the wonder of God’s grace? Has the Lord taken away your heart of stone and given you a new heart? Do you now know the increase where “more and more I become nothing and Christ becomes all”? When there is no increase, it becomes such a sorrowful life. A child of God, seeking to live from what lies in the past, misses the joy of faith and the communion with God; he is then subject to doubts and fears. Is there not a jealousy in our hearts when we read how Paul may increase? That is why he experienced such a fruitful life because the more he found his life in Christ, the more he testified of His only blessed Savior. Ever more and ever deeper the Word became a lamp for his feet and a light unto his path.

Oh, the power of that Word confounded the Jews living in Damascus. It is possible that you are convinced of the truth, convinced of that only way, and still remain an enemy. We read of Paul that the people who were confounded by his message later sought to kill him, but Paul could not die yet; the Lord had much work for him to do. True, his way here below was a way of many trials and struggles. When he came to the end, although he had increased much in the grace and the love of the Savior, he felt that there was nothing left but a wretched man. He was, however, a man privileged to go home to be with His Lord and Savior. Coming there he could say, “Saved by grace, through the precious blood of our Lord and Savior.”

My dear reader, we also will come to the end of life’s journey. In my heart there remains one question for you. Where will you spend eternity?

Rev. J. den Hoed
Franklin Lakes, NJ

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