Gospel

Good Hearts and Trees

by Roland Crim
02/12/17
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“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:43-45 NIV

The heart of an individual can be compared to a tree. Just as a good tree bears good fruit, that which comes from the heart of a good person is that which is good. Yes, we are all sinners, and sometimes our actions are not pure and good, but a good heart does not consistently produce evil. A good heart of its own does not produce evil. One with a good heart that belongs to Jesus will have remorse over sinful acts and will seek forgiveness from the Master. Just as good trees may be pruned to yield even more good fruit, so God will work on the believer that they may continue to bear good fruit for the Lord.

A bad tree cannot bear good fruit, but only bad fruit. An evil heart cannot bring forth good, as all it knows is evil. It looks for revenge, and practices deceit. It does so for what it believes to be to the benefit of the individual owning this heart. This heart is foolish. It does not realize that any perceived gain is truly short-lived and the ultimate outcome is far worse than the perceived gain.

The truly good heart belongs to the one who has given his life to Jesus Christ. This heart is nourished by God’s word and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within the heart. This heart seeks after that which is pleasing to God. It seeks the advancement of the kingdom of God. This heart knows that it has been abundantly blessed and it wishes to do what God asks.

May we work diligently that more may have a heart which belongs to the Lord. This will please God immensely.