A few months ago, we had to replace our car because our old car had met its untimely end in a flood. The replacement car is different both in colour and make. When I now drive around and hoot in friendly greeting at people I know, I’m met with looks of surprise or disdain. At first, I was confused, but then I realized they didn’t recognise my car. It’s strange because I’m the same person driving it, but they have no idea who I am because they don’t recognize my car. It made me wonder if people would recognise me if I were in another body. What about me would they recognise? Jesus told us how we should be recognised – it has nothing to do with race, gender, social status, etc. He explains using trees. Many trees look the same. They may have some variations, but to most people, they look the same, that is until they bear fruit. And then it’s obvious what type of tree it is. And so Jesus says, “Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20). This is how we are recognized by God. It’s by the fruit we bear – the love we show, the kindness we exhibit to everyone – those we love and deserve it, and even those we find hard to love. As I navigate life, one day, Jesus will cross my path. Will he recognise me? Open Bible – https://bit.ly/Mat7v20
