September 28 Filled

Luke 6:43-44 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.”
 
ONE way Jesus’ teaching becomes so personal is his agriculture – or crop and animal illustrations. Even if you have never cared for an animal, worked a garden or field, vineyard or orchard, you understand the practical aspects of Kingdom living. This fruit illustration points you to know that true goodness in life comes only as the gospel – the good news of salvation – is your life’s true food.
   “Good” is a common word that Jesus elevates to a heavenly meaning. See, for example, how he does so in Matthew 19:16-17 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 
   Yes, “good” here means to be of God. Jesus points out that as one looks or acts in a good way, he is only good as he obeys God’s commandments. The apostle Paul, teaching as Jesus taught, also wrote this in Romans 7:18-19 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.
   Romans 7 is mainly about Paul’s frustrations to live as good a life he truly desires. He longs to be good in God.
   Anything we do that seems good is not good unless it is done on the foundation of the good news – the gospel of salvation. Attempting to live in a “good” way from the world’s point of view will only produce a futile life, empty of meaning and purpose. We will be left hungry for soul-sustaining fruit. Rejoice that God has given to you good fruit in his commands and in his Savior to nourish your body and fill your soul’s hunger for righteousness. The gospel is the good news – God’s news – given so that “surely goodness and love will follow (you) all the days of (your) life, and (you) will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalms 23:6)  
 
Prayer: You are good, O Lord. Fill me with the fruit of your salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.