Word@Work Luke97 - Luke 6:43-45
Published: Thu, 05/06/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
TRUE TO TYPE
Luke 6:43-45 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognised by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn-bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." (NIV)
Fruit of all kinds - including figs, olives and grapes, grown on trees and vines - have been the mainstay of the Mediterranean economy for centuries. Of course a diseased tree will hardly support any fruit, while a healthy tree always promises a good crop in a predictable climate. Everybody listening to Jesus knew that the type and variety of fruit depended on the nature of the tree or vine, so He used this illustration to show that people behave according to what is in their heart. Wickedness comes out of evil hearts and graciousness out of sanctified hearts.
In training the disciples for their future role as church leaders, Jesus needed to emphasise the radical difference between His Kingdom and religion. Religious people can be sincere, informed and socially helpful; but the nature of their hearts is not changed by their indoctrination. Our worst excesses may be controlled by rules, but love does not naturally come out of hate any more than grapes come from briars. Caught off-guard, we say what we really mean.
Of course it is important to practise the disciplines which will lubricate the life of Christ flowing through us to others. But the disciplines alone will never make us holy. Only God can change our nature, by His Spirit, as we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. People who are born-again have a new type of heart; one which will love righteousness, hate wickedness, respond to God's call, receive His grace and serve Him sacrificially with gladness. That sort of person is a breath of fresh air in the workplace: they provide a glimpse of heaven in legal practice, public service, commerce, art, healthcare or education. So, if you belong to Jesus, let His life flow through you today!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for the new heart You give to all who come to Christ in repentance and faith. Forgive me when I give in to the temptation to go back to my old way of life, thereby grieving Your Spirit who lives in me. Help me to fully embrace the grace you give me every day to live in such a way that Your love may flow from my heart, and Your power energise my working day; for Your glory's sake. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Fruit of all kinds - including figs, olives and grapes, grown on trees and vines - have been the mainstay of the Mediterranean economy for centuries. Of course a diseased tree will hardly support any fruit, while a healthy tree always promises a good crop in a predictable climate. Everybody listening to Jesus knew that the type and variety of fruit depended on the nature of the tree or vine, so He used this illustration to show that people behave according to what is in their heart. Wickedness comes out of evil hearts and graciousness out of sanctified hearts.
In training the disciples for their future role as church leaders, Jesus needed to emphasise the radical difference between His Kingdom and religion. Religious people can be sincere, informed and socially helpful; but the nature of their hearts is not changed by their indoctrination. Our worst excesses may be controlled by rules, but love does not naturally come out of hate any more than grapes come from briars. Caught off-guard, we say what we really mean.
Of course it is important to practise the disciplines which will lubricate the life of Christ flowing through us to others. But the disciplines alone will never make us holy. Only God can change our nature, by His Spirit, as we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. People who are born-again have a new type of heart; one which will love righteousness, hate wickedness, respond to God's call, receive His grace and serve Him sacrificially with gladness. That sort of person is a breath of fresh air in the workplace: they provide a glimpse of heaven in legal practice, public service, commerce, art, healthcare or education. So, if you belong to Jesus, let His life flow through you today!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for the new heart You give to all who come to Christ in repentance and faith. Forgive me when I give in to the temptation to go back to my old way of life, thereby grieving Your Spirit who lives in me. Help me to fully embrace the grace you give me every day to live in such a way that Your love may flow from my heart, and Your power energise my working day; for Your glory's sake. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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