Tag Archives: prophets

Trees

 

I was just made to realise something that came across in a rather profound manner. It has to do with Jesus’ comments regarding trees. He mentions that a good tree cannot produce bad fruit. He also says a bad tree cannot produce good fruit.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. – Matthew 7:15-20  ESV

Here is my realisation. I have found myself believing the last part – bad trees produce bad fruit that I have completely forgotten about the first part – good trees produce good fruit. Here is what I mean – because I believe that a good tree cannot produce bad fruit, I do not cultivate the good tree and yet it is the absolute priority of where the work needs to be done.

What does it look like to keep cultivating the good things in my life that are producing good fruit?  The first thing that comes to my mind is a familiar Psalm – Psalm 1.

Blessed is the man[a]
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers. – Psalm 1:1-3  ESV

In the kingdom of God I need to be careful on discerning what I see. Certain thorn bushes have berries that look like grapes, certain thistles have a flower, that from a distance make them look like figs. Looks can fool us for sure. By cultivating the good in me, I can discern more easily those who are as genuine as I am. I think Jesus was connecting soundness with good fruit. Soundness has something to do with sound living – free from defect, decay or disease, it’s healthy.  Being true to God, His Word and His grace is what I need to be aligned with. I believe that also means that I know my strength does not lie in myself, but in God who supplies everything I need. These I think are some keywords that describe fruit in a disciple – faith, hope, love, justice, wisdom, strength and self-control.

 

 

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Dignity

 

I think that it is important that my dignity as a follower of Christ depends on me bearing the marks that belong to the kingdom of God. It is not just something I talk about. It is the presence of God in my actions and Him being the first step who fills my mind. Maybe Matthew 5:20 is the most important thing about the entering and living in the kingdom of God.

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

I think it is important to note the previous three verses to understand that the law is still important, especially to those who say we no longer have to heed to the law.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:17-19  ESV

The law is where it all starts – it has not left the table yet. It is holy. Until I repent of the evil or the breaking of the law, I cannot participate in Christ’s righteousness. Then when I receive mercy, I go into deeper self-abhorrence. If I am pretending to be a follower of Jesus and allow myself to walk in disobedience or teach others to do the same, I am not a true disciple. Let’s make sure I am getting this right. Christ’s righteousness, is given to me by faith alone, it is needed by every single person who enters the kingdom. However, the new creation of the heart of holiness, produces a thorough change in a person’s temper and conduct.

I believe Matthew is really drilling down to the characteristic of a disciple as one who is a doer of the will of God. There is an emphasis on ethics and repentance. Orthopraxy would be his prominent motif.

Just read the rest of the chapter and tell me you are or are not doing these things. I know in fact that over 60% of any church family are in violation of these and unfortunately in some, they are okay with that.  I pray that my walk would be to heed the call to walk with God in all of these matters and to eventually be willing to walk with others as they desire to do the same.

 

 

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