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From the Parable of the Sower, is being fruitful referring to the nine Spiritual fruits born in our character? Do ‘deeds’ or ‘good works’ then have to follow ‘fruits’? At the believers’ judgment for rewards, will our Lord judge us on works or fruits or are they both the same thing? Thanks for your help.

Throughout my life as a Christian, I was always taught that the Body of Christ was made up of all born-again believers. But lately, I’ve been hearing some pastors are teaching that the Body of Christ refers only to members of a local church. I’ve read the scriptures they use to justify this teaching, for example 1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” I’m confused and upset, since I’m disabled and can rarely attend church. I would greatly appreciate any insight you can provide.

I have a question for you regarding ‘the fruit of the Spirit’. Jesus said we would recognize Christians in the same way as we would recognize a good tree – because it bears good fruit. As Christians though, we continue to sin and constantly bear ‘bad fruit’ – easily recognizable by our un-Christlike behavior. Does this mean that we are not truly saved or born of the Spirit?

After you are saved and when the Bible refers to works, what “works” is talking about? Is it just reading your bible, praying, going to church, or is it like being a witness or doing something kind for others? And then what is “fruit”? Is it the fruit of the spirit?

I used to hold to the pre-trib position simply because I was taught it and given a few “fine threads” of “evidence?” After wiping the slate clean and letting Scripture speak, I have come to the conclusion that there are too many problems and passages I can’t explain if I hold to that view. For example, I was taught that 2 Thessalonians 2:7 which is often used to “prove” the rapture since “the one restraining is taken away” must be the rapture of the church. The problem with that is the verb translated “taken away” doesn’t mean that at all, it’s the verb ginomai which is never translated “taken away”. It always refers to birth, or coming into existence. What do you say in response to this?

Question, both Mattew and Luke talk about “Judge not and you will not be judged” but we are to inspect for good fruit, right? I have a sister that I try to witness to but she makes me feel guilty because of this. She is a great person but used to be part of a church that thinks everyone is going to heaven.

In your article entitled Fruit Inspectors you stated that “It is humanly impossible to tell who is saved and who is not…” Is it safe to assume that we do not know if Hitler was saved or if the mass murderers of Islamic terrorism are saved? You get my point. We are commanded to exercise righteous judgment which must be based on conclusive evidence. We may not judge on the basis of appearance, personal opinions or unsubstantiated suspicions.

Re: The Watchman. What’s the difference between being a ‘watchman on the wall’ specifically appointed by God as Ezekiel was or a watchman in society watching the signs of the times? If we are all to watch and wait, seems like all God’s kids are appointed to be aware and share that awareness with others. I don’t see a big difference other than one is very specific and one is general.

My son-in-law leads a local group of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. One of the Catholic girls expressed her belief that there are big and small sins. He knows that all sin is sin and must be repented of and confessed. He said they would talk about it this Sunday.

Do you have some special teaching or insight that would make it clear to her what the truth really is? Thank you so much for your help.

Hey, thanks so much for taking the time to answer questions. It helps out so much!

In one of your replies to a question about God being both male and female, you mentioned that the Church and Christ are modeled by the man and woman getting married.

I was thinking about it, and since a man and woman make a baby, what do the Church and Christ make? I know this question may seem a little odd, but I’ve been told that great things come in threes, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Trilogies of books are often good, and man, woman, and child. I feel that the Church and Christ wouldn’t be complete without a third part, am I wrong?

Thank you so much again, and God bless!