Jesus is Essential
Matthew 3:8–10: Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Fruit bearing is the result of having the right kind of tree. Only a fruit tree can produce fruit. An apple tree will bear apples, and a plum tree will bear plums. But when a tree bears thorns, it is not an apple tree, and it must be cut down.
The root and the fruit go together, by the way, and a tree must have the right kind of root to bear the right kind of fruit. That is exactly what John the Baptist is saying to them here. He is telling them that the wrong kind of tree is going to be taken down and cast into the fire. 1
Walking with Jesus
Never confuse Christian activity with fruitfulness. We can be very busy doing things that make us feel good about ourselves, but bear no lasting fruit. Only Jesus can produce fruit. If your works are not producing fruit, ask Jesus for immediate help.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15:4
The right kind of fruit has the right kind of roots, wrapped around Jesus. – TWEET IT
Praying
Lord, I realize that without You I can do nothing. I confess my need for You today.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (Matthew 1-13) (electronic ed., Vol. 34). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
