A Tree Hewn Down and Cast into the Fire Matthew 7:19

Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.” Jesus continued, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits.” Jesus added, “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit”, and in chapter seven and verse nineteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples,“every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down” where we read:

Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

The verse reads, “Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, ...” Matthew began with the words, “every tree” or “each, all, the whole and everyone of the trees” “that brings not forth” which means “that do not produce, make, prepare and shoot forth” “good fruit” or “useful, salutary, pleasant, excellent and precious works, acts and deeds” “is hewn down” or “is cut off and down”. Jesus shared how “each and every tree” that does not produce “useful and pleasant” “fruit” or works, deeds and acts” will be “cut down”.

The verse continues, “... and cast into the fire.” Matthew added the word, “and cast” or “and thrown or scattered” “into the fire” which means “in a fiery fire”. Jesus not only told His disciples “trees” that did not bring forth “useful and pleasant” “fruit” would be “cut down”, but they would also be “tossed or thrown” into a “fire” to be burned.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how important it is to bear “good fruit”. Whenever a “tree” did not “bear useful fruit” it was to be “cut down” and “burned”, and by using this metaphor for those who are “good trees” within the world, Jesus showed His disciples how to determine whether a person was “good” or “evil” within their souls. God desires to save everyone, and only those who yield their lives to Jesus Christ His Son shall know what it means to truly bear “good fruit”. All others have a destiny that shall be “cut off” and “burned”.

Next time Jesus tells His disciples what happens to, “by their fruits you shall know them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.