You can tell a lot about a tree by what hangs from its branches. Apostle Paul knew the same is true of faith.

In Titus 3:8, he is emphatic: those who trust in God should be careful to devote themselves to good works. Of course, this is not to earn salvation. That’s found by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. But genuine saving faith always produces something visible. Good works are the manifest fruit of our salvation.

And one of the ways we show good works is by not engaging the bad works of foolish controversies, genealogies, and quarrels. Paul calls these what they are: unprofitable and worthless. Now there are certainly righteous moments for controversies and quarrels, but a person who is habitually controversial and quarrelsome is not bearing godly fruit. That’s just divisiveness, and divisiveness is, in fact, evidence of a heart not yet transformed by God.

Real faith isn’t proven by how well we debate. It’s proven by how consistently we serve, love, and forgive.

Beloved, examine the branches of your life. What’s hanging there? The fruit doesn’t lie.

May our lives bear only the kind of fruit that leaves no doubt that person is saved.

Change begins in you!