THE ROOT DETERMINES THE FRUIT

People are often evaluated based on the fruit of their life (what their life is producing), but do you know that it is the root that determines the fruit? Listen to the words of Jesus regarding this subject.

Matthew 7:16-20 By their fruit, you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 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 recognize them. 

Matthew 12:33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.”  NLT

Good fruit is the byproduct of a good root or a good tree. Therefore, what your life is connected to will determine your outcome. Again, listen to Jesus’ words.

John 15:4-8 Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit;  apart from me, you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.   

Too often, people are trying to deal with the fruit of their life, not recognizing that the only way to deal with their fruit is to deal with the root. When you focus all your energies on believing right, then doing right will be the natural byproduct. As Colossians chapter 3 says, we must set our mind, heart, and affections on things above. When we stay connected to the truth of God in our minds and hearts, right living will come naturally for us. What a great day to live a life connected to and focused on God! I pray that this Encouraging Note helps you understand the secret to having more of God flowing through your life. I can assure you that God’s life will flow through you when you know and implement this principle… 

THE ROOT DETERMINES THE FRUIT