April 16, 2012 (1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” Matthew 3:10 NLT
Observation: John the Baptist spoke with clear authority and did not beat around the bush with his message. There was never any doubt about what John was trying to say. Here he compares Christians with trees that produce fruit. Just as a fruit tree is expected to bear fruit, so should God’s people produce a harvest of obedience toward God through Christ. God’s ax of judgment is poised and ready to sever the roots of all who profess Christ with their lips, but deny Him in their actions. Many claim to know Him, yet the actions of their lives scream a much different result. John describes people who claim they believe God but don’t live for God as unproductive trees that will be cut down and burned.
Application: We live in an era that denies the message of John the Baptist and deems it unnecessary. In our culture repentance is not necessary to receive salvation and neither is there a need to produce fruit to avoid being cut down and burned. Repentance has been twisted into an “act” we do (Therefore rendering it useless) and the production of fruit has been touted as a works based salvation (Rendering it unbiblical). Truth of the matter is this. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. When this genuinely takes place in our lives, fruit will inevitability be produced, however, this fruit will not be produced without work on our part. The first fruit, before any other type fruit is produced in us, must be the fruit of obedience. If this fruit is not present in the life of a professed believer, their profession has been in vain.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for the message of repentance that is taught and preached throughout Your word. Thank You for Your Son Jesus that provided us a way to overcome satan and reign in victory with You forevermore. I desire to produce the fruit of obedience that is well pleasing to You, help me to do so, in Jesus name, Amen!