Olive Tree

Friday, May 16, 2014

Bearing Fruit

The scriptures compare us to trees.  We are called "living oaks" and "trees of righteousness."  We shall be known by our fruit - whether it is good or bad. 


What is good fruit?  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control exhibited consistently.  In essence, unselfish behavior - doing what is best for those around us and not just prioritizing our own needs. 


What is bad fruit?  Here is a list given in II Timothy:  lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,…


You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.… Matthew 7:16-18


Heavenly Father, Please confirm our presence in your orchard by bearing good fruit within us.  Give us the discernment to notice whether good fruit or bad fruit is being borne in the trees around us.  Amen.

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