How do we know that God expects good fruit from His people?
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God expects good fruit as He has equipped His people with His Word and grace, aiming for a harvest of righteousness through the work of Christ.
The expectation of good fruit stems from God's covenantal relationship with His people. In Isaiah 5:4, God questions what more could have been done to make His vineyard successful, indicating that He has provided everything necessary for them to bear good fruit. In Romans 6:21-22, the Apostle Paul contrasts the fruits of sin, which lead to death, with the fruits of righteousness that lead to eternal life through Jesus Christ. Thus, while Israel failed, the true Israel, the elect of God, are empowered through Christ to produce the good fruit of the Spirit, highlighting the transformative work of regeneration and sanctification.
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