[Manny Varela]

MATTHEW 3 – SPIRITUAL FRUIT
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matthew 3:7

Israel was a blessed nation and shared an extraordinary relationship with the Jewish people and in doing so, the nation of Israel became a blessed country. God’s love would be demonstrated by providing Israel the Torah, the law of God.

This Law would disclose God’s expectations, a manner to live, as well as provide many prophecies that would eventually unfold before the nation of Israel. In return for obedience to God’s law, the Lord would ascribe righteousness and blessings to them.

Although God was patient and gracious, the Hebrew people would eventually depart from the law of God and would begin to depend on their righteousness. Paul would painfully say that although the Hebrew people had a zeal for God, they did not have it according to God’s way. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness” went about “to establish their righteousness” while “not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Sadly, The result was “spoiled fruit”.

CHALLENGE

Sadly, self-righteousness and independence from God, continue to be the trend in many religious circles. The disciple Matthew warns us that unbridled self-righteousness eventually leads to spiritual calamity. Only true dependence on God and repentance in Jesus Christ leads to the fruits of eternal salvation.

[Marcena Davis]

Matthew 3 compares our spiritual actions to trees bearing fruit. Just like a tree needs proper care to give good apples, our souls need a real connection to God. The Pharisees thought their family ties to Abraham were enough. But just being related to someone special doesn’t guarantee good deeds or intentions.

God gave Israel guidelines on how to live right, but over time, they tried to find their own way. This led to mistakes and “bad fruit.”

Today’s challenge? Always check if we’re genuinely following God’s path or just relying on our own views. Like a tree needs water and sunlight, we need true faith to produce good spiritual results.

[jpurdy@ohiochristian.edu]

I love your analogy of a plant needing water to our souls needing the Word of God. We need continued care and growth in our Christian life.

At the same time, we need to remember and try to emulate the love and forgiveness that Christ showed to others rather than judging others.

[Author]

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