A Tree Kept for Its Fruit

Matthew 3:7-10

When John the Baptist saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he called them a brood of vipers - snakes - and asked, "Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?" He told them to produce fruit or results in keeping with repentance. Nor were they to content themselves with thoughts of being children of Abraham, for God could raise up children from the rocks around them.

In fact, he warned, they were already in danger of being cut down like trees, with God's ax already at their root, and God has every intention to cut down and burn every tree that doesn't bear good fruit.

John is talking to the religious elite of his day, and saw right through their hypocrisy. He told them to show their repentance, and not just rest in being descendants of Abraham. God is able to make more descendants out of rocks, it's that easy for Him.

Now in some ways I suppose I'm part of the religious elite of my day, so this warning may also apply to me. Let me ask myself honestly now; am I deceitful like a snake? Do I really show evidence of being repentant?

How much danger am I in that God's ax would cut me down at the root like a tree? Am I really bearing fruit, or evidence of good works in Jesus' name?

It sure doesn't sound like eternal security here! Either we show proof of being a good tree, or we are to be cut down.

PRAYER: Oh Lord God, I think it is possible that I am deceitful and not as repentant as I should be, nor do I always bear the fruit of good works as I know I should. I feel some shame and sorrow about this. Do forgive me, and come help me, by Your Spirit, to be honest and earnest before You.

I really want to be a tree that You will keep for the good fruit I produce, and not cut me down.