From the Inside Out
Thursday, January 21
From the Inside Out
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Matthew 7:16
Fruit comes from a tree or plant which has roots, stems, and branches receiving all the proper nutrition from a good soil. Good fruit comes when there’s a proper balance of nutrients, light, warmth and water. ‘A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’ (Matthew 7:18-19) God wants us to live balanced lives, honest and true. We should be the same on the outside as we are inside.
Jesus, when He had a time with His disciples, spoke of the Pharisee and said “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the market-places and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.” (Matthew 23:5-7) They changed their lives and behavior to suit their audience. In other words they weren’t honest in their attitude. We too can be guilty of this same thing. Sometimes we change our clothes and behavior so the opinion of other people will be positive towards us. It’s natural to want to look acceptable and at our best when we meet new people, but we should never change who we are.
Our lives should bear fruit as a result of a relationship with God that’s deep and rich. The more honest we are with ourselves the more we can be honest before God. When we’re honest with God we can let Him heal and cleanse us from the things that aren’t pleasing to Him. Our life will then bear fruit which can be seen on the outside because we are pruned from the inside out.
Prayer for today: Father I recognize that You are the vine and I must remain connected to You in order to bring forth good fruit. Please help me today to be honest with myself and to bring all my life to you so that you can heal and deal with me. I want to bear fruit for You and to walk in honesty before You. Thank You, Lord, Amen.