Rest in Righteousness to Release His Grace

"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

"A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

"Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

"Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them."  (Matthew 7: 17-20)

If we do not rightly divide the Word of God (2 Timothy 2: 15), we may be tempted to think that we must strive to bear good fruit in order not to be wicked.

We do not need to try to bear better fruit. We need to be made into a new tree:

"Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit." (Matthew 12: 33)

Trees do not strive to bear fruit. The tree by its very being and nature bears fruit.

In the Bible, the Lord speaks of righteousness in connection with a vibrant and fruitful tree:

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

"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" (Psalm 1: 1-3)

and

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." (Proverbs 11: 30)

and

"The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes." (Proverbs 12: 12)

How do we change from bad trees to good? By the Power of the Holy Spirit, whom we receive by grace through, who convicts us of righteousness (John 16: 8, 11):

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

As we rest in our righteous standing in Christ, His grace is released in us:

"That as sin has reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5: 21)

and

"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 21)

This grace is to a tree of righteousness as sap is to another tree - its very life.

Be the tree of righteousness that you are in Christ, and through Him bear much fruit.