THE UNFRUITFUL TREE
Matthew 7:19
" 'Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.' "
This is indeed a sobering statement. It reminds me of Jesus' teaching about the branch and the Vine in John 15:1-8. " 'I am the Vine and My Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away ... If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.' " In the Matthew illustration, the tree has never been changed. It depends on itself for its life and cannot of itself bear godly fruit. Oh, it may try to graft some branches in that might bear some fruit that looks good, but it is still an ungodly tree at its core. In the second picture, the branches are attached to Jesus and get their life from Him. They do not depend on their own goodness, but know that any good fruit comes from the Vine. Yes, there is pruning to get rid of the dead unfruitful twigs, but the branch is still attached to the Vine. With all my heart, I want the vine dresser to prune the unfruitful dead stuff – which is enough to build a huge bonfire – out of my life so that I can bear more fruit for His glory.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God will judge the ungodly.
[end]
Have a pruning day. Love you.
Matthew 7:19
" 'Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.' "
This is indeed a sobering statement. It reminds me of Jesus' teaching about the branch and the Vine in John 15:1-8. " 'I am the Vine and My Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away ... If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.' " In the Matthew illustration, the tree has never been changed. It depends on itself for its life and cannot of itself bear godly fruit. Oh, it may try to graft some branches in that might bear some fruit that looks good, but it is still an ungodly tree at its core. In the second picture, the branches are attached to Jesus and get their life from Him. They do not depend on their own goodness, but know that any good fruit comes from the Vine. Yes, there is pruning to get rid of the dead unfruitful twigs, but the branch is still attached to the Vine. With all my heart, I want the vine dresser to prune the unfruitful dead stuff – which is enough to build a huge bonfire – out of my life so that I can bear more fruit for His glory.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God will judge the ungodly.
[end]
Have a pruning day. Love you.
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