Daily Devotional – Thursday, February 24, 2022
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 7:19 (NKJV)
When I found a pumpkin seedling growing in my garden, I was excited. I uprooted all other plants within a radius of two meters of the pumpkin plant. Next, I dug around the plant and mixed manure with the soil.
A few weeks after, the plant had stretched out its vines and had dark-green leaves. I banned my family members from plucking the leaves, which are a delicacy. I started dreaming of an abundant harvest and a handsome income.
He Came to It and Found Nothing on It but Leaves
One day, out of curiosity, I pulled back the leaves and vines to see how the fruits were growing. To my surprise, there were no fruits. The flowers had withered and fallen down. After a few more weeks of waiting in vain, I uprooted the plant in frustration.
My frustrations helped me understand Matthew 21:18-19:
“Now in the morning, as He (Jesus) returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.” (Matthew 21:18-19).
Every Tree That Does Not Bear Good Fruit
In Isaiah 5, God refers to Israel (and believers in general) as His choice plant. He has done everything for the plant to bear fruit (works of righteousness) but the envisioned harvest does not materialize.
Unfortunately, when God has done the best for us and we fail to utilize His provisions to bear fruit, there are consequences. Jesus Himself taught, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19).
God’s Unconditional Love Does Not Force the Will
The destruction of the unfruitful plant is not a result of God’s unwillingness to forgive but the refusal of human beings to repent and forsake sin. While God’s love is unconditional, it does not force man’s will. Salvation or damnation are personal choices, which God does not interfere with.
Today, just as when He walked on the streets of Judea, Jesus seeks for fruits of righteousness in professed Christians. He has already provided for the growth and fruition of the seed by offering us the Holy Spirit. We have no excuse for fruitlessness.
The Fruit of the Spirit
To assess whether you are bearing the right fruit, here is the checklist (Galatians 5:22-23):
“… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Lord Jesus, fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may become a fruitful tree in Your garden.
Amen..God expects us to leave a productive life after all that He has done for us. May our lives be fruitful.
This is what God asks in Isaiah 5:3-4, “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?” (NKJV). God has done everything for us. What are we giving back? Thank you, Doc.