Matthew 7:7-29 "Measuring Up"

The portion about the tree and its fruit is a tough passage for me. I think my first impulse has always been to use it as a measuring stick for judging other christians, but i know that i should probably focus it more on myself than on anyone. i know it's not proper to judge other people, but why does the passage read, "by their fruit you will recognize them"? anyway, i guess that's all i have to comment on. i need to spend more time making sure that i bear good fruit and not worry so much about others. but that response reeks of catholic guilt syndrome; i shouldn't be walking around feeling guilty in my christianity -- i've been made okay by christ! so what's a brother to do? maybe i don't need to worry about rules and lists and measuring sticks for being a decent christian. a friend of mine says that the basis for his whole ministry - in fact, his whole life - is founded upon two principles: "loving the lord, my god with all my heart, soul, and strength" and possessing a christ-centered love for others. those two attitudes of love should be the fruit i try and produce in my life. i think that other incidental decisions will flow as biproducts of my interest in loving god and others. lord, help me to love you and to love others with the love you have given me.