Be Like a Tree
A tree = firmness, strong, fixed.
The purpose of a tree is to produce fruit. Jesus tells us to be aware of false
prophets, and a tree is known by the fruit it bears (Matthew 7:15-20). In Galatians
we see the different kinds of fruit (Galatians 5:19-23).
Psalms 1:1-3 says “and he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that
brings forth its fruit in its season; it leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he
does shall prosper.”
The Bible tells us in Acts 17:28a “for in Him we live, and move, and have our
being”. Therefore Jesus explains our life purpose in John 15:1-8. John the Baptist
told us to “bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance”.
We are warned not to let a root of bitterness come on us (Deuteronomy 29:18),
Hebrews 12:15 says “looking diligently less any man fail of the grace of God; less
any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled”. The
Bible tells us in Ephesians 4:26-27 “be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go
down upon your wrath, neither give place to the devil”. Jesus said “love your
enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for
them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” As you pray for someone
your heart turns toward them, a good prayer is in Ephesians 1:17-19. As Jesus
said on the cross “forgive them for they know not what they do. When you forgive
others you release animosity and your stress level is reduced. People that hold
onto hurts allow those hurts to go down and form a root of bitterness in their heart,
and allows the devil to come into their lives, and we know that as Jesus said “the
thief come but to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10a). Paul says in Galatians we
get what we sow (Galatians 6:7-9).
Remember in the garden of Eden, there were two special trees planted by God: the
tree of knowledge and the tree of life. Since the tree of knowledge of good and evil
symbolized all moral knowledge, knowledge that only God could have, its fruit was
forbidden to Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:17). But the tempter suggested to them
that, by adding to their knowledge, the tree’s fruit would make them “like God”
(Genesis 3:5). So they chose to disobey God. This act of rebellion marked the
entrance of sin into the world. The result was quite different than Adam and Even
expected. Instead of gaining superior knowledge that made them equal with God,
they gained awareness or knowledge of their guilt, shame, and condemnation.
Before Adam and Eve sinned, they had free access to the tree of life, after their act
of rebellion, two Cherubim guarded the way to its fruit. They was not allowed to eat
of its fruit because on their sin, they were subject to death and dying. This
condition lasted until the coming of Jesus Christ, the last Adam, who offers eternal
life to all who believe in Him (John 3:16, I John 5=11-12). I believe that Jesus is the
tree of life.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: May 23, 2006