Luke 6:43-45

Luke 6:43-45

For a good tree is not making putrid fruit.  Again, a putrid tree is not making good fruit.  For each tree is being known by its own fruit.  For they do not gather figs out of thorns nor do they gather grapes out of brambles.  A good man brings forth good out of the good treasure in his heart.  And the evil man brings forth evil out of his evil.  For his mouth speaks out of the abundance of his heart.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus gives us an agricultural example.  A good tree does not produce putrid fruit.  If you have a healthy tree that is fed and nourished and watered, you will get a good harvest.  It is just a reality.  In the same way, human beings who are rooted in, fed by, and nourished by God will bring forth godly fruit.

Do you bring forth godly fruit?  When are you most likely going to bring forth godly fruit?  What circumstances help you bring forth fruit that shows good character?

Second Thought:

Jesus gives us another analogy.  Figs don’t come from thorn bushes; grapes aren’t gathered from brambles.  In other words, plants can’t bring forth fruit that is outside of their nature.  In the same way, we cannot bring forth fruit that is outside of our nature, either.  If our nature is in our humanity, we cannot bring forth godly fruit.  But if our nature is derived from God and His ways, we can bring fruit that is in kind with His nature.

How do you make sure that you are bearing fruit according to the nature of God and not the nature of mankind?  What helps you focus on your transformation to be more like God?

Third Thought:

Just in case we miss His point, Jesus is very clear.  What comes out of us is out of the abundance of our heart.  Our words and actions demonstrate the character within.  If we want to analyze where we are with respect to the Father, we should analyze our words and actions.  They will tell us how closely we are imitating God.

When does your humanity come out through your words and actions?  How does this make you feel?  When does God’s nature come through your words and actions?  How does this make you feel?

Passage for Tomorrow: Luke 6:47-49