An unconverted state will bear fruit corresponding with
its own essence. It must, in the nature of things, be so.
The enmity against God of the carnal mind,
the rejection of the Lord Jesus,
the governing principle of SELF,
the supreme ascendancy of the world,
the slavery of sin;
indicate, unmistakably, the unrenewed, unregenerate
nature from which they spring. We do not expect one
to yield the fruits of holiness from an unholy nature.
The life that an unbeliever lives is in keeping with the
unrenewed heart he possesses. He is of the earth,
earthly. It is consistent with his unregenerate nature that he should be of the world,
that he should love the world,
that the world should love him and claim him as its own,
that the things of the world its pursuits, its pleasures,
its sins; should harmonize with his nature,
charm his tastes,
delight his senses, and
bind his affections in their spell.
[Octavius Winslow]
Matthew 7:16-18 ... Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. ❤
