Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, you will know them by their fruits.     Matthew 7:17-20 NKJV

Our Scripture passage today is Jesus’ warning against false prophets. He uses the analogy of a good tree or healthy tree vs. a bad tree or diseased tree. He specifically mentions fruit trees.

I inherited my grandparents’ place from my parents. Long before I was even a thought, they had planted these beautiful oak trees. Some had to be cut down to make room for my house. Some were taken down in hurricanes. But a couple remain. They are beautiful and tall, providing good shade in the summer, but unfortunately, it appears that both are dying. It concerns me because they stand in front of my house. While I dread cutting them down, I feel this is something I will be facing in the near future.

A few years ago, an arborist came to look at a tree on my mom’s property that I knew was dead and pointed out a couple of others that were dying. He showed me some signs to tell when trees were diseased and dying, including how the bark looked, and also if the tree was dropping huge limbs.

Jesus spoke of fruit trees and them producing bad fruit. With oak trees, it’s not as obvious. They may look healthy at first glance, and it may take a more careful inspection to see that they are diseased and dying.

Human beings are that way, also. Some put up a good front. They seem kind and caring and loving, but when things don’t go their way, they show their true colors.

This morning, I want you to ask yourself a few questions. First, are you a healthy, thriving Christ follower? Do you love the Lord with all your heart? Do you put Him first in your life, others second, and yourself last?

Secondly, how do you hold up in a storm? Does your faith become uprooted and cause you to fall? Or, do you stand strong in your faith and trust in the Lord to get you through?

And last but not least, are you producing good fruit? Do you bear beautiful leaves, provide good shade and food for people and/or animals? Do you serve the Lord and serve others because of your great love for the Lord? You see, if we truly love the Lord, we want to praise and serve Him. We also want to be a help to others in need.

If you are diseased and dying and looking good on the outside but decaying on the inside, eventually it will show on the outside. It will lead to rot and decay, and you will only be good for being cut down and thrown into the fire.

While it’s not so easy to cure an oak tree, God can cure the backslidden Christian. He can soften the heart of the rebellious or defiant person; all they have to do is ask. If you want to become spiritually healthy, just ask.

All you have to do is repent and ask Him to save you. He will be glad to do that.

Have a great day!