Let me just say here that I am not the gate keeper. I don’t determine who ‘gets in’ and who doesn’t. That is not even what God has put in my heart to focus on. But this I do know...God has put a burden on my heart to trumpet a warning that would cause us to examine our hearts and lives to ensure we are truly abiding in Him. I’m not here to talk about who is saved and who is not...but if you are abiding in Him, that is a very good place to be. And who could disagree with that?
We are on the topic of fruit production in our lives. So much is written in the scriptures regarding fruit...good fruit, bad fruit and even the concerns when there is no fruit. (Luke 13:7)
We looked yesterday at multiple passages where Jesus seems to draw a line in the sand strongly suggesting that a tree will either bear good fruit or bad fruit, but won’t or can’t produce both. (Matt 7:17-20)
Even James would later echo in his letter similar ideas. He had some strong words of rebuke and warning to us. His letter is not sugar coated by any stretch of the imagination. Midway through the 3rd chapter there, he points out a troublesome observation. He speaks of the unruly tongue of ours that reveals the fruit in people’s hearts saying they bless God and then turn around and curse men. (3:9). In other words, anytime we are speaking ill of anyone, we are in a sense speaking a curse on them. Maybe that is why Paul advises us to let ‘no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth...but only wholesome talk that builds people up.’ ( Eph. 4:29)
James continues on in vs. 10 - “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren...these things ought not to be so.” Then he asks this question: “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?” (11)
And here it comes...are you ready for it...vs. 12 – “Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus, no spring yields both salt water and fresh.”
Yeah...let’s take a moment and let that one sink in.
I know some of you want to point out those carnal ‘babes in Christ’ Paul mentions in 1 Cor. 3. We’ll get to them, trust me.
What is my preoccupation with all this fruit talk of late, you ask? God is wanting to awaken us from our slumber. (Matt. 25:5). Remember the passages I cited yesterday by both Jesus and John the Baptist about ‘an ax is already laid at the root’ and the ‘cutting down of trees that don’t bring forth good fruit’? This is very serious. (Go reread yesterday’s if you missed or have forgotten already)
We are the ‘trees of God’s field’. We see that metaphor used in scripture. I find it interesting that one particular blind man who was led out of town and Jesus prayed for...when his eyes opened the first time, Jesus asked him what he saw. Do you remember his response?- Mark 8:24
Now I want to move in a direction that can be uncomfortable for many. I get it. But ignoring it does no one any good at all. It has to do with God’s judgements and wrath. This is an idea or theme woven through the bible from beginning to end, yet because of the discomfort and unease it produces in many, we tend to avoid or sidestep it. Funny how we don’t like talking about uncomfortable topics. But here we are...
The wrath of God is already here on the earth. (John 3:36; Rom. 1:18; Matt. 3:10)
Guess what Jesus came to ‘save’ us from? Rom. 5:9
Want to take a guess who carries out God’s wrath and judgements and curses? Satan and the powers of darkness do. (Psalm 78:49-50). They are the ‘tree cutters’. (Isa 14; Ps. 74:3-7)
I understand why we tend to shy away from the ‘God of the Old Testament’ because He just doesn’t seem to jive with our concept and understanding of who God is in the NT. But when did God change? (Mal.3:6). It’s important to note that when we read of God frequently ‘pouring out His wrath and judgements in the OT’, that it was more often on His OWN people... Israel/Judah/Jerusalem...and Not just the ‘evil sinners’ around them. In fact, guess who God would often use to bring judgement on His people? The enemies of Israel...other hostile and wicked nations. God would use them has his ‘instruments of indignation’. (Isa 13) And who is our ‘enemy’ today? (1 Pet 5:8)
In Jeremiah 6, God warns of impending destruction and we read the cry of ‘cut down trees, and build a mound against Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished. She is full of oppression in her midst.” Now if looking up verses in the OT takes you out of your comfort zone, especially with all this talk of judgment, may I point you back for a moment to the NT where Peter gives a sobering warning in his first letter, (2:17) “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
Now...one more quick trip to Isaiah Chapter 5. (Let me also remind you that the writers of the NT admonished us to study these prophets of old as their writings also had relevance to us today. You can look these up later- (1 Cor 10:1-11; Acts 3:24-26; 2 Pet 3:1-2; Luke 21:22)
If you would please, open up to that passage in Isa. 5 and take a moment to read vs. 1-7 and 24-25. You might even want to print this post off and use as a bible study. After you read those verses, consider answering the following questions:
1. What did God have planted in verse 1? (Check out Matt.21:33 real quick)
2. What was He hoping to produce, and what did he actually find? (vs.2)
3. What does God ask of His people in vs. 3-4?
4. What does God tell us that He is going to remove in vs. 5? What happened when something similar was done that we read about in Job 1:9-12?
5. Who does God clarify is this ‘vineyard’ He speaks of in vs. 7? (Who is Israel a ‘type’ of today?”
You can read the whole chapter if you like, but note vs. 13 – what is one of the consequences of this hedge coming down? (Whose people are affected here?)
6. And what is ‘devouring’ the ‘stubble and chaff’? And who is God angry with in vs. 25?
... Yes...I’m aware of how you might be feeling here. But God never warns of judgements without first letting His people know there is a way of escape and protection. Take heart...He didn’t come to destroy and condemn...but to save. We just need to pay closer attention to Him.
When a forest needs to be thinned, before those overseeing the project send in teams with chainsaws and ‘axes’, specialist go in first and mark or identify what trees need to be cut down. They are clearly ‘marked’.
Jesus tells us we will be known by our fruit. He also adds another distinguishing description to who His true followers are: (John 13:35)
Now regarding those ‘carnal baby Christians’ we read about in 1 Cor.3. You know...something I’ve noticed over the years about myself... When I get laxed in my eating, my pants get tighter around the waste and they no longer fit. But they make this material now that ‘stretches’ where I can buy the same ‘waist size’ and be comfortable again without having to make serious adjustments to the appetites of my flesh.
I fear we do that with God’s word a lot. Instead of aligning our hearts and lives up with His word, we go chisel or dilute His message so that it ‘fits’ with our lifestyles. It’s like we found a nice ‘stretchy gospel’ version that makes us more comfortable. I believe Paul warned about those in 2 Cor. 11.
Paul also warned those ‘babes’ of being carnal, pointing out the ‘strife, envy, and divisions that existed among them. Many interpret that being a ‘carnal Christian’ is totally acceptable and while it may not be the ideal way of living, it does not have any eternal bearing on your soul. Yet, scripture would suggest otherwise. (Gal. 5:21). Paul also addressed these folks in his second letter in 12:20-21. You might read that over. Then go look how Paul addresses ‘carnal minds’ vs. ‘spiritual minds in Rom. 8:5-13.
We ought to be very mindful of the fruit being exhibited in our lives. And there is only One way good fruit will ever be produced in us. You must abide in Him. (John 15:4).
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