A good person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.
Matthew 12:35

You are what you _____.

You probably already know the usual answer. You are what you eat.

We hear that all the time, but it’s not really true. I love purple Kool Aid and Doritos, but I haven’t yet turned into the Kool Aid guy or a big Dorito.

Perhaps a better answer would be: You are what you produce. Let me explain. 

In the context of today’s verse Jesus is teaching his disciples that a good tree will bear good fruit, and naturally a bad tree will bear bad fruit. Before someone becomes a Christian his heart is bad. It has the corruption of original sin. It cannot bear good fruit (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 8:7-8). But after God gives a new heart we should expect that from the storeroom of that heart some good things will begin to be produced. What is needed is not just a change in external behavior but a regeneration of the heart by God. 

What do your works reveal about what is really in your heart?

According to Jesus if your heart has been transformed, then you will be bearing forth evidence of loving God in honesty, purity, humility, and praise. This is the fruit of God’s work in your heart.

Earlier in Matthew Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). People should not glorify you when they see your good works, but you should remind them that it is only because of God’s work in your heart that you are able to bring forth good things out of the good treasure of your heart. 

The Apostle Peter was convinced that you could know if you are one of the elect based on the works you produce (2 Peter 1:5-10). Your works don’t make you a Christian, rather if you are a believer in Christ, then what comes out of your heart will be a fruitful knowledge of Jesus Christ. If your storeroom is filled with good stuff, then it will be made known to all you serve.