Can a bad tree bear good fruit? Can a good tree bear bad fruit? A rhetorical question Jesus asked in Matthew 17, that has far-reaching influence and truth when we look at how we live our lives, and the outworking of our vision, purpose, and calling. It is closely tied to the firm declaration in Luke 6 and Matthew 12 that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. That is when we see results in our lives – in the fruit of our mouths, in the behaviours we embrace and live out, it starts from the inside out. And is not, or is never a consequence of what someone on the outside dies.
A few thoughts and examples to consider; if you find it difficult to forgive, the issue is not the gravity of the offence, but the internal conversation and construction of your heart. If you find it difficult to freely give, the matter is not that recipients may abuse your gift – but your heart position that gives conditionally. If you struggle with patience and longsuffering, the issue is not the fact that people are not dependable; it is that you are not patient in your heart and in your spirit. There are many examples; I could go on, but you get where I am driving it.
Before you come at me with sticks and stones, consider this – Jesus, sinless, and humbling himself to wear a human body, had every reason to not forgive the crowds chanting for his death, and to not be patient with Peter’s vacillations. He had every reason to give up on humanity when Adam failed, and when each of us did. But he did not, because his internal nature and makeup, as we are told by the epistles of John, that God is love, and by 1st Corinthians 13 about the very long-suffering, tender, and forgiving nature of that love. Out of the internal makeup of his heart and mind, we see the fruit of love and forgiveness in Jesus on the cross when he decides to forgive the very crowds baying for his name.
The same is true for the conquests and victories we need to carry out in life. You are a victor or a victim long before the battle begins; a success or a failure long before there is a single battle line drawn because of who you are in your mind, and what you see – i.e., your internal identity. Despite the presence of a “rhema” word from God, the best assurrance of victory one could ever hope for-the Israelites wondered about in the desert for 40 whole years because in their internal identity, “they were like grasshoppers before the enemies forces,” (Numbers 13), and directly disobeyed God who told them to go on. (As if getting out of Egypt and over the Red Sea had been because they had any strength of their own)
If how we think and see ourselves can be the difference between entering the promised land today or spending 40 years in the wilderness, it is critical to have the same view of ourselves and the Christian life that God has of us. The life that God calls Christians to is radically different from everything the world suggests we pursue. It is a life of love, service, and power. It is a life that, frankly, if we try to live out of the identity that the world gives every person, or out of incorrect religious ideas, we will fail dismally.
The new statement says a lot, about our new identity in Christ. Today, I will focus on just the one aspect; “You and I are seated, together with Christ in Heavenly places,” from Ephesians 2 verse 6.
Think about what this means. Christ has sat down as a high priest, because he has conquered death, disease, the grave and sin itself. He is far above every power, principality, and name that is named. He is completely untouchable by the enemy, and in his seating he is neither anxious, nor walking in lack or poverty. He is sitting on a throne, with all authority in heaven and on earth, with every wicked thing subject to his name, and in glory. He has sufficiently paid the price for our sins, satisfying the wrath of God on the cross. He is free of every shackle that life can throw – the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. And there where He is, you are seated with him. Think about it. We are seated with him where he is, and with who he is today;
What does this mean? I cannot fully explain in words, but I can give an example. If the king of England calls me to sit together with him, on his throne, I am no longer an ordinary citizen. The agents of the court and king listen to me asmuch as to him; not because of me, but because of the throne on which I sit. The resources available to me become limited only by the full extent of the kingdom. My purpose also, can no longer remain individual, but now is tied to the state and future of the kingdom. The same agents who take care of the king’s wellbeing automatically by my sitting become concerned with my welfare. My words and commands, the very agents who do the king’s bidding also do mine. Again, not because I am something in and of myself, but because the king has made me a co-king by sitting me together with him on his throne.
This truth is altogether challenging to any idea of incapacity or weakness or inability we can profess as Christians. It is a declaration of war, to small-minded thinking and a challenge to us, to live lives that defy expectations – the same way our Master did. Victory in every sphere of our lives will be a fruit of our renewed mind before it is a fruit of our actions. And if we renew our mind to this truth-that we are invited to co-reign with Christ (Romans 5:17) in this life and season on the earth, our lives will permanently change.
I invite you to take time this week to study and ponder this. To ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into the fullness of this truth, and for the courage from him to let this truth define and guide your dreams. And to completely rid yourself of the grasshopper mentality that stopped a direct word in season from God, from being effective in the Israelites’ journey to the promised land.