A Divining Love
Discerning true fruit through the lens of God’s justice and compassion
Jesus is undoubtedly loving. Does anyone refute that Jesus is loving and wants all to thrive? Few do. But let’s be clear—his love is not vague or sentimental. In this passage, we see that it’s also discerning and direct.
There are two ways. Two trees. Two outcomes.
Jesus doesn’t avoid the hard edge of truth: not everyone who uses religious language, even invoking his name, is known by him. Not all fruit is good, even if it looks spiritual from a distance…even if it knows all the words to the newest worship songs.
So how do we know what’s truly good fruit?
Jesus says we’ll recognize people by their fruit, which assumes we are to discern—and maybe even judge—in a particular way. But what counts as good fruit isn’t always obvious. For that, we need more than instincts or appearances. We need the witness of scripture.
The prophets use the same image. Fruit, for them, is often tied to justice and mercy. Isaiah, Amos, Micah—again and again, they remind us that what God desires is care for the poor, the widow, the orphan, the marginalized.
So if we are to be fruit-inspectors, we need to use God’s definition. Not just outward displays of power, charisma, or even doctrinal precision—but the kind of life that bends toward love and justice.
That’s the narrow road. That’s the good tree. That’s the kind of life Jesus knows.
Matthew 7:13-23
“Go in through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is broad and the road wide, so many people enter through it. But the gate that leads to life is narrow and the road difficult, so few people find it.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you dressed like sheep, but inside they are vicious wolves. You will know them by their fruit. Do people get bunches of grapes from thorny weeds, or do they get figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, and every rotten tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit. And a rotten tree can’t produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, you will know them by their fruit.
“Not everybody who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. On the Judgment Day, many people will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name and expel demons in your name and do lots of miracles in your name?’ Then I’ll tell them, ‘I’ve never known you. Get away from me, you people who do wrong.’
Psalm 72:1-4, 12-14
God, give your judgments to the king. Give your righteousness to the king’s son. Let him judge your people with righteousness and your poor ones with justice. Let the mountains bring peace to the people; let the hills bring righteousness. Let the king bring justice to people who are poor; let him save the children of those who are needy, but let him crush oppressors!
Let it be so, because he delivers the needy who cry out, the poor, and those who have no helper. He has compassion on the weak and the needy; he saves the lives of those who are in need. He redeems their lives from oppression and violence; their blood is precious in his eyes.
Prayer1
God,
You know, Lord, that I love you. Let the sweetness of your love draw me always to you and make me zealous in the service of others. May I never judge without mercy, nor speak without kindness. Teach me to recognize good fruit, and to bear it, that I may love as you love and see others as you see them.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
Adapted from St. Aelred of Rievaulx