Outside my office stands an old “tree of enlightenment” which has been faithfully producing fruits. It provides shelter and food to many species of birds, which allowed me to take close-up photos of the birds (see below)...
This morning, my devotion/study is focused on the passage in Matthew 3:8-10. John the Baptist admonished the religious leaders to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance…; every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” This verse is often cross-referenced to Acts 26:20, in which Paul shared “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."
It is not my intention to enter into the debate of the role of faith and works in salvation here. Suffice to say Jesus’ harshest words were to the respectable leaders who lacked the desire for real change… they want to be known as religious authorities; but they didn’t want to change their hearts and minds. Rather, my meditation was on how productive is our life… The Message paraphrased the passage in Matthew as follows: What count is your life: Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s dead wood, it goes on the fire…”
In the book of Matthew, the passage went on cover baptism with water and with the Holy Spirit & fire. For the purpose of my meditation this morning, I prefer the follow-up passage in Luke 3. The same incident of John the Baptist admonishing the hypocritical religious leaders and his reference to the fruitful tree is reported in verses 7 - 9, but what was interesting was the follow-up passage from verses 10-14. In response to John’s teaching, three groups of people (the crowd, tax collectors & soldiers) asked him the same question, “WHAT SHOULD WE DO THEN?”
This morning, my devotion/study is focused on the passage in Matthew 3:8-10. John the Baptist admonished the religious leaders to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance…; every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” This verse is often cross-referenced to Acts 26:20, in which Paul shared “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." 
It is not my intention to enter into the debate of the role of faith and works in salvation here. Suffice to say Jesus’ harshest words were to the respectable leaders who lacked the desire for real change… they want to be known as religious authorities; but they didn’t want to change their hearts and minds. Rather, my meditation was on how productive is our life… The Message paraphrased the passage in Matthew as follows: What count is your life: Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s dead wood, it goes on the fire…” 
In the book of Matthew, the passage went on cover baptism with water and with the Holy Spirit & fire. For the purpose of my meditation this morning, I prefer the follow-up passage in Luke 3. The same incident of John the Baptist admonishing the hypocritical religious leaders and his reference to the fruitful tree is reported in verses 7 - 9, but what was interesting was the follow-up passage from verses 10-14. In response to John’s teaching, three groups of people (the crowd, tax collectors & soldiers) asked him the same question, “WHAT SHOULD WE DO THEN?”
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In his reply, John gave three specific and practical responses:(1) share what you have with those who need it;
(2) whatever your job, do it well and with fairness, and
(3) be content with what you are earning.
His advice is worth repeating: share what you have, do your work honestly and well, and be content! Let us reflect and ask ourselves: What count is your life: Is it green and blossoming?
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Source:
Life Application Bible & The Message
Life Application Bible & The Message
