PRUNING OR TREE REMOVAL?
"And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matthew 3:10 AMP).
The root that was to suffer the blows of the axe were roots of rebellion against and disobedience to the commands and will of God. In the healing of a person's soul (its transformation and continual growth), death blows must be delivered to the sinful beliefs and thoughts that are at the root of rebellion and disobedience. We cannot bear the good fruit of God apart from the fullness of the life of Christ flowing in us (John 15: 5). The "dead works" must be cleansed and destroyed for our faith to flourish and please God our Father. The Son, Jesus Christ, came to collect what is due the Father and belongs to the Father. Even today, He expects to receive His portion of the good fruit from His orchard, i.e., even our faith. The Jews who prized their allegiance to their traditions over reverential obedience to God's will had become like trees rotting from corruption. (Because self righteousness based on a person's interpretation of the Law, does not save him or justify him.) "He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing (bath) of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Titus 3:5-6).
Our Lord God, the Master Gardener, will lay the axe to anything in our lives that produces bad fruit. He will prune His fruitful branches, so that they will produce even more good fruit. Therefore, do not resist the discipline of the Lord, for He corrects and disciplines every one He loves, and He rebukes every son and daughter whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes (Hebrews 12:6). Think about it.
"And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matthew 3:10 AMP).
The root that was to suffer the blows of the axe were roots of rebellion against and disobedience to the commands and will of God. In the healing of a person's soul (its transformation and continual growth), death blows must be delivered to the sinful beliefs and thoughts that are at the root of rebellion and disobedience. We cannot bear the good fruit of God apart from the fullness of the life of Christ flowing in us (John 15: 5). The "dead works" must be cleansed and destroyed for our faith to flourish and please God our Father. The Son, Jesus Christ, came to collect what is due the Father and belongs to the Father. Even today, He expects to receive His portion of the good fruit from His orchard, i.e., even our faith. The Jews who prized their allegiance to their traditions over reverential obedience to God's will had become like trees rotting from corruption. (Because self righteousness based on a person's interpretation of the Law, does not save him or justify him.) "He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing (bath) of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Titus 3:5-6).
Our Lord God, the Master Gardener, will lay the axe to anything in our lives that produces bad fruit. He will prune His fruitful branches, so that they will produce even more good fruit. Therefore, do not resist the discipline of the Lord, for He corrects and disciplines every one He loves, and He rebukes every son and daughter whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes (Hebrews 12:6). Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
