Scripture:
Luke 6:43-45 ESV
[43] “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, [44] for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. [45] The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Observation:
Ok, so if you have a red letter bible, these words would be in red. They came straight from Jesus. So let’s take a look at them. Now, in a sense, we are talking about a fruit tree, but before we get into that, I want us to back up just a few verses. I know I do this all the time, but my goal is to get you reading your bible. Just before Jesus starts talking about a fruit tree, HE lets us know it’s not ok to judge others. Going back to the old plank verses speck sonorio. How can you get the speck out of your brothers eye when there is a 2×4 in yours. HE goes on to say FIRST remove the 2×4, and then you will be able to see the speck clearly. So what is really being said here?? Well, that is opened up in the verses that we chose for the SOAP this morning. Let’s talk about nature’s candy. The fruit tree. How can you tell an apple tree is an apple tree…? Is it because it tells you it’s an apple tree…? Or is it because you can see the apples on it and clearly it’s an apple tree. I want to challenge your thinking. I know that’s a pretty simple concept. But between the 2 portions of scripture that have been mentioned, Jesus is teaching, so a principle. There is a difference between judgment and inspection…religion and relationship. There is always a deeper level of learning between the pages of the bible. Jesus is telling us you will know someone is what they say they are if you just pay attention to their walk. Are they saying one thing yet doing another. Or are they living the word.
It’s hard to stay out of the application, so I’m switching over. I believe it will all be explained there.
Application:
Judgment and inspection are 2 different things judgment comes with condemnation and inspection is done with love. The difference is this. When you see a brother who is caught up in sin, do you approach him and tell him he needs to stop or he is going to hell? Or do you gently approach him and see what you can do to help restore him. Have you ever seen a gardner taking care of a plant they gently remove the parts of the plant that are not doing it any good. Judgment wounds inspection helps. The thing about inspection is that you know what to look for, and you are not doing it out of some kind of self-righteousness. Judgment says I’m better than your inspection says I have been where you’re at. How can I help? OK, so all that being said. It’s time to let you in my life. I do my best to walk above reproach. However, if you look deep in my life, you will see that I am not perfect. I fall short in areas. However, I believe that you can see that I am what I say that I am. That’s not to say that a bad apple is not produced on occasion. That’s what the pruning process is for, and GOD does a beautiful job of timing back my branches. But who am I to cut down your tree. My job is not to condemn anyone it’s to help them walk with Jesus the best way I know how, and believe me, I need a lot of improvement. But if I am walking the path, HE lays out for me, and then others will see that. What attracts you to an apple tree is the nice shiny apples it produces. If you are hungry, you know where you can get something to eat. My request today is to prun back your branches so that the beautiful red apple can be seen. Don’t stand in judgment of your brothers and sisters. That will push them away from who they need. Stand in compassion, grab their hands, and show them how to walk and always remember at one time you were where they are. Not one of us is better than the other. We are all sinners saved by grace. So approach everyone you come into contact today with the same grace you were given. Love covers a multitude of sins, and compassion will always triumph over judgment. We are not meant to push people away from the kingdom but draw them near. Show someone you love them today by walking next to them, leading them the same way you are going. But of course, make sure the way you are going is the right way.
Prayer:
Father, we ask that you help us to guard our walk with you. Let our apple be clearly seen as apples and not look like grapes. We want to live in a manner that is pleasing to you. This life is not our own. You have bought it with the blood of your son. Your word says that we are the light of the world. Let that light shine so that others may see it and give you glory if needed prun back our branches so that the apples can grow bigger and shinier and be more appealing to those you place us around. Help us to see how we can improve our walk rather than look at the stumble of our brothers and sisters. Let us see where grabbing a hand is better than cutting it off from the ability to reach out. Lead us with your love. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.