Moment of Meditation: Known by Fruit (Matthew 7:17-20)

Every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7:17-20).

God created trees to bear fruit according to their own kind (Genesis 1:11). He created every tree to produce good fruit. But not each one does.

Sometimes the root or the trunk of the tree is so rotted that it's not able to produce fruit. Sometimes the root is diseased enough to turn even the sweetest Honey Crisp apples into Granny Smith's.

But a healthy tree will bear good fruit. And Jesus calls us to be healthy trees, just as John the Baptizer did (Luke 3:9). We're called to bear the fruits of good works. Deeds done in faith that Jesus '''HAS''' saved us. Not that we're saving ourselves. Jesus has done it. He has planted us by streams of water (Psalm 1:3). He nourishes us and causes us to prosper so that His name might be glorified in our lives. Amen.