“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.”
I’m often asked about pastors, teachers and Christian speakers. The questions usually lean towards whether I believe their teaching is biblical. Over the years I’ve discovered that one of the best ways to tell is if you grow steadily as a result of their teaching. Does it provide insight, challenge and life? Godly teachers bring all those things at various times and to various degrees. However they will always seem to bring, as the Vulgate says, “righteousness in what they say and do is, as it were, a fruitful tree which delights and feeds many. A good man’s example and teaching promote spiritual health and lead to immortal life.” Now that is a great way to determine if someone is both living and speaking God’s truth. If they bring life and health you can also be sure they will attract the hungry, thirsty, lonely and broken to their life. They will also win souls as a by-product of who they are. I had a great conversation with a long time pastor the other day. He was talking about a group of influential men he meets with regularly. Lately he has been challenged to encourage them to step up to the role God has for them. He is creating a hunger in them for the things of God and is watching as they began to feast at His table. They see in this pastor fruit from a life lived following Jesus and they want it too. Soon they will see those around them begin to long to feast on what they have. Today enjoy the delicious fruit of God’s presence and continue to be or become a source of His life for others.
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness” Titus 2:7 NIV
