Preserved by Purpose: Becoming a Fruit Inspector

By Shewanda Riley Considering our current chaotic political environment, the question that has been on my mind lately is how should Christians respond to things like the conviction of Donald Trump on 34 felony counts?  It’s complicated to some and not as simple as supporting the candidate who uses the bible as a prop, wraps themselves in scriptures and shows up at the most churches. Nor is it as simple as judging an authentic Christian based on how they stand on controversial issues like abortion, same sex marriage or support for Israel.  Do we support them based on what they say or based on what the word of God says? One way to determine how to respond is to look at the truth of Matthew 7:17-20 which says, “You will know them by their fruits…Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.”   In other words, we must become fruit inspectors. Think about the fruit...