Garbage in, garbage out
A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. Luke 6:43-47
It provides relief to know that God is the one that changes us. He changes us so that we can become better people having a disposition that reflects the life He gave us. When there is no visible change that takes place in our attitude and behavior there might be no inner change that took place. When a Christian clings to His Master, he or she will produce good fruit. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). What we say comes from our hearts. Our words are the most direct communication of our inner being. From the text, God wants His children to overflow reflecting His loving presence in their lives. “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart.” What kind of fruit do you expect you will produce? Does the Word of God that you constantly feed into will reflect back into the kind of person God is working in and through you? Get the real picture of the real you by listening to the words that come out from your mouth. You are what your heart is. “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:21). Study the Word of God diligently and let it guide your speech for “They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them” (Psalm 19:10-11). As you regularly meditate on the Word of God, apply the principles you are learning and let it lead you to declare the praises of God. You cannot claim that Jesus is the Lord and Master of your life if you are not willing to obey and listen to His Word. The question our Lord Jesus Christ asked the crowd following Him is also the question He ask of us today, “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?” Just like what He promised, when you live by His word and follow Him you will be “like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built” (Luke 6:48).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com