Scripture to Read: Luke 6:43–45
Jesus used all sorts of illustrations when He taught, and He often taught in parables. Jesus wanted His listeners to understand and apply God’s Truth to every area of their lives. The same is still true today: God does not want us to simply hear His Word, but to take it to heart and apply it as we walk in obedience to Him each day. God had Luke record in Luke 6:43–45, “For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” Jesus used fruit trees to help everyone understand that whatever a person’s heart is filled with, that is what will come out of them. A heart that is separated from God is dead, full of sin (Ephesians 2:1–3, Ephesians 4:17–19, Ephesians 5:8), and is unable to produce the goodness of God. No doubt, lost people can do good things, but it is for selfish reasons. Only a heart transformed by the love of Christ can produce God’s fruit (Galatians 5:22–23). The goodness that Christ is talking about comes through surrendering to Him as Lord, because apart from Him we have no goodness.
Challenge & Application
How do we know that goodness is only capable through Christ alone? (See Romans 3:9–18, & Mark 10:18 for help.)
How do we walk in the goodness of Christ each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!