But First

Psalm 1:3 King James Version (KJV) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Leaving off from yesterday’s devotional about the use of gifts, it is best to follow the order that our God has purposed in us. Man is like a tree. The similitude draws in several principles of horticulture which are easily researched and understanding of God’s planning.

A tree must have roots to draw up nourishment from the roots. Primary requirement of tree life is water and without it the tree will wither and die. The river close by provides that water which is represented to us in scripture as the Spirit of God. In Genesis 1:2 it was the Spirit of God that moved upon the waters.

Ephesians 3:17 English Standard Version (ESV) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

The first nutrient for man is love. It is also the first fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Is the fruit of a tree to be consumed by the tree or for the benefit of others? So often the novice will see the fruits of the spirit as being beneficial to themselves. It is true that this love moves through us, from our roots all the way up and comes out through all that we do. It is meant to makes us stronger and more productive but the ultimate purpose of fruit production for all trees is propagation of the type of tree we are, Christian.

Returning back to Psalm 1:3 note that the fruit is brought forth when the tree is in season. Each of us has our own season, determined by growth and nourishment and light. That is why the leaves do not whither, because they are daily exposed to the light.

Psalm 119:105 English Standard Version (ESV) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Quoting Myself

“The gospel is simple and easily understood so that we might come to Him in the simplest of ways. He did not make it difficult. Along with this salvation comes a change of heart and that is just the beginning of complexities, not based on who God is but rather on what we were and are meant to become. If we cannot keep focused on who God is in character and performance, our minds will become filled with error.”

When I saved yesterday’s devotional I discovered that I had used the title “See Me” two years ago. It was a different devotional with the above. The simplicity of the gospel allows anyone to understand. No one likes to be called simple. It is an insult. If we can grasp something more complex, we feel special. We all want to feel better about ourselves. A clear conscience is one of the reasons we sought salvation in the first place.

The principles of simplicity in growth is our ability to digest. Milk to herbs to meat is the progression of our growth in the Word of God. A steady diet of only meat is not healthy for the body and spiritually speaking not heath for the soul.

Hebrews 5:12-14 English Standard Version (ESV)

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Within these passages are two gifts, teaching and discernment. A proper diet is meant to strengthen the soul by practicing the gifts given and not just sitting around watching without participating. We call those people “pew potatoes”. Yes it is an insult. It is meant to make each of us do an inventory of our activities within the body of Christ. We are not just place holders. We are meant to grow through activity in the gifts given with purpose.