07/06/2026
One of the most exhausting ways to live is constantly wondering if you are doing enough for God.
Am I praying enough?
Reading enough?
Growing enough?
Changing enough?
Many believers spend years examining themselves under a microscope.
Looking for flaws.
Looking for failures.
Looking for proof that they are finally measuring up.
But what if that was never the point?
One of the most misunderstood statements Jesus made is:
“You will recognize them by their fruits.”
Many people hear that and immediately become spiritual inspectors.
Inspecting themselves.
Inspecting others.
Analyzing every mistake and every weakness.
But Jesus was not talking about struggling believers.
He was warning about false voices.
Voices that look spiritual on the outside but lead people away from the heart of God.
Because false teaching always produces fruit.
Fear.
Condemnation.
Exhaustion.
Performance.
Constant striving.
It tells people they must earn what Jesus already paid for.
And eventually, that kind of teaching leaves people tired.
Always trying.
Never resting.
But the Gospel produces different fruit.
Peace.
Freedom.
Confidence before God.
Not confidence in yourself...
confidence in Jesus.
Because the finished work of Christ changes everything.
You are not trying to become accepted.
In Christ, you already are.
You are not working toward righteousness.
Jesus became your righteousness.
You are not striving to get closer to God.
The cross already brought you near.
That does not make believers careless.
It makes them secure.
And secure people grow differently than fearful people.
Fruit grows naturally on a healthy tree.
It is not taped onto the branches.
In the same way, real transformation flows from abiding in Jesus.
Not from pressure.
Not from fear.
Not from endless self-inspection.
The more you behold Christ,
the more His life flows through you.
And maybe this is what someone needs to hear today:
Stop staring at your weaknesses long enough to look at your Savior.
Because your hope is not found in your ability to produce fruit.
Your hope is found in the One who gives life to the tree.
Jesus is not asking you to carry the burden of becoming your own source.
He is inviting you to rest in Him.
And when you do...
the fruit takes care of itself.
