Sunday May 20, 2007 | Seth McCoy
No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Just like a tree reveals either good or bad fruit, our lives reveal to others who we truly are. As followers of Christ, we are called to live a life that reveals the beauty of God. We learn from Jesus that true beauty and change only comes from the inside-out. As our hearts are turned and transformed in Christ, our words and actions bring forth beauty.
Just like a tree reveals either good or bad fruit, our lives reveal to others who we truly are. As followers of Christ, we are called to live a life that reveals the beauty of God. We learn from Jesus that true beauty and change only comes from the inside-out. As our hearts are turned and transformed in Christ, our words and actions bring forth beauty.
Bearing fruit is an organic process. If the tree is healthy, it will bear good fruit. If it is lacking nutrients or good soil, it will either bear bad fruit or no fruit at all. So too, our lives are to be naturally producing good fruit that is rooted in our relationship with Christ.
Jesus loves and desires for us to be transformed from the inside-out. He wants us to be rooted and grounded in his love (see Luke 6:46-49). The fruit of the Spirit that is revealed when we live out Christ’s love is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
What if I am producing bad fruit? True and lasting change only comes from Christ and occurs from the inside-out. As we seek God in prayer and the reading of his Word, God gives us a new heart and attitude. He plants within our hearts the “seeds” of his Truth, which then give birth to an abundance of fruit in our lives. From the inside-out, the love of God in our hearts works its way out into our actions.