“Be A Good Tree And Produce Good Fruit!”

“Be A Good Tree And Produce Good Fruit!”
It was a very important sympossium we had in Nairobi concerning “Misleading Theologies” in Africa. After a lengthy group discussion we came out with the definition that any theogy that disregards the dignity of humanity and poses a threat to human life is misleading.
At the beginning it was as if we were adressing some people other than ourselves. As if it was “we and them!”
But as the discussions went deeper we could realise that misleading theologies centres on Jesus’: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognise them…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. Thus by their fruit you will recognise them”(Mtt.7:15-20).
One presenter told us that the only way to combat false theologies is through the teaching of what is right according to scriptures.
False teachings did not begin with us and would surely not end with us, but Jesus reminds us this morning that you can’t expect good fruit from a bad tree and the reverse is also true.
That is why the teacher is himself reminded, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”(II Tim.2:15). Paul goes further to tell Titus, “you must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine”(2:1).
Dear friend, we may not make ourselves judge over others, but we would rather prefer an introspection to see if we ourselves are good trees. What the text suggest is that only harvest time determines the kind of trees we each are by the fruit we will bear.
Let it be that we helped to lead you to Jesus Christ and not to ourselves or to hell. May the Lord himself give you the spirit of discernment to go where you will meet Christ.
Prayer: Holy Spirit give me the spirit of discernment to distinguish between a bad and a good tree. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!