Advent 2024 - Day 17

Day 17: Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Primary Scripture: Luke 3:9
Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 7:19-20; Hebrews 12:5-11

Most people know that I gave up on the church for many years.  I thought the congregation was a bunch of hypocrites.  That's not to say they were note - but I was to naive to know there were two kinds of Christians, the privileged and the broken.   The privileged people put them selves out there as the thoroughbreds of Christianity - complete with a birthright to "their" seat in the pew.  The rest of the folks were just broken people trying to figure things out.  IN this scripture John is talking to the thoroughbreds - those that thought their paths were already cleared into God's Kingdom.  But, boy were they wrong.!

John’s warning in Luke 3:9 is sobering: “Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Jesus echoes this in Matthew 7:19-20, emphasizing that a tree is recognized by its fruit. These passages remind us that our actions matter. True repentance and faith are revealed through the way we live, not just the words we speak.
Hebrews 12:5-11 speaks of God’s discipline as an expression of His love. Just as a gardener prunes a tree to help it bear more fruit, God works in our lives to remove what is harmful or unproductive. This process can be painful, but it is ultimately for our good, shaping us to become more like Christ. that's why I always say it's hard to be a Christian.

As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: Are there areas of our lives where we are not bearing good fruit? Are there habits, attitudes, or distractions that need to be “pruned” so that we can grow in our faith? Advent is a time to invite God to do this work in us, trusting that His discipline is an act of love.

Let's Pray:
Father, thank You for loving us enough to discipline us and to help us grow. Show us the areas of our lives that need to be pruned, and give us the courage to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with You. May we bear good fruit that glorifies You and points others to Your love. Amen.