Changing the Tree

Bulletins

Brian Nielsen
09/15/24 - General

At first this can make one feel so hopeless.

I mean, who am I kidding? Certainly not Jesus who in Luke 6:43-45 said, "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

So how can I produce good knowing some of the bad thoughts in my heart. Others may or may not see the negative, but I know these evil feelings and more importantly so does the One who matters as we read in Psalm 44:21, "Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart."

This would devastate me if not for one of the scriptures to which I cling: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 might seem too good to be true. It would be without Christ. With Jesus, look what is possible: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I can't put into proper words how thankful I am that while my fruit would never fool God, He allows me to become a new tree through repentance and baptism.

We just have to obey what the Lord instructs in Ezekiel 18:31 -- "Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?"

(Scripture quotes are from the NKJV)