Matt. 7: 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. NKJV
My grandparents loved fruit trees and over the years tried in vain to grow apple and cherry trees in our back yard in our small town of Marshall, Missouri; but notice I never said they were successful! I remember at a very early age sitting with my grandfather in the backyard staring at what was supposed to be an apple tree. My grandfather kept mumbling, "I just do not know what else I can do to make this tree gives us apple Buddy, (my childhood nickname)!" Little did we know at the time but a major factor was missing; we needed another apple tree for cross pollination to happen and to bring forth apples. WHOA!! Stop right there!! You mean there is something relational about growing apples? Yep, even in something as seemingly simple as planting a tree to bring forth fruit, God shows us that a relationship is the difference-maker!
As Christians we are to know others and be known ourselves by the"fruits" produced in our lives. I wonder how many times in your life you have tried to produce good fruits by, "obeying the commandments", "doing the right thing"; but found it difficult to produce that good fruit? I cannot tell you how many times I have heard from people; even said myself at times: that they/I just keep messing up, disappointing God, or that the commandments are just too difficult. There is a simple reason why our good fruit struggles to grow and produce; it is the relationship with Jesus.
Just as the verse tells us today, "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit". We have to make sure that we have the one needed aspect to produce the good fruit that we so long to produce, the relationship that spurs positive, fulfilling growth: Jesus
Today, instead of trying to be the tree that looks to itself to muster up the good fruit, realize that it is impossible for true good fruit to be produced in, and of yourself; you need the relationship. Jesus tried to get us to understand this principle when He said in John 15:5, 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." Friends, stop "trying" to produce good fruit on your own!
Focus on not the fruit but the root, therein lies either the success or the failure. If we focus on building our relationship with Jesus good fruit will be a natural result. We will not have to, "work" at making good fruit. Hand in hand with Jesus His good fruit through us will bless many.
Remember: God's Got This!!
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