02/28/2016

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit(Matthew 12:33).
 

History seems to unfold and reveal the nature and characters of individuals, sometimes seemingly hidden at first. It's only when someone is raised to an effective authoritative relationship with others, are these hidden characters made manifest. Sometimes these traits are not hidden, but are obscured by a lack of self examination.
 
Let's take a look at Theodore Roosevelt for an example; the 26th president of the United States. After serving as president for two terms, he found it almost virtually impossible, not only to be reelected at a later date for another term as president; but the highest public office he attained was leadership in the Boy Scouts. Why?
 
It seems when he first was hailed as a more than qualified leader to this country; his outstanding, aggressive, uncompromising way of life seem to magnify the ideal American spirit. When Mr. Roosevelt brought these qualities into the working of our government, the same characteristics that secured his election as president, when enforced on others caused his public appeal to plummet.
 
Beloved our fruits will tell others a lot about the Jesus in us. Only the Holy Ghost can illuminate the Jesus we read about in the Bible. Even as this country realized that the outstanding qualities of Teddy Roosevelt, when imposed, caused a new kind of soul searching. So it is with our Lord, Savior and master; the Jesus within; the fruits we produce will tell the whole 
story.  

---