Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By
their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or
figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad
tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree
cannot bear good fruit.
JESUS
speaks of planting, nurturing and harvesting lasting nourishment into others’
lives. Following Jesus means we are intent to “love your neighbor as yourself”
(Matt 19:19) feeding Jesus’ life into hungry souls. How are we doing?
I recently heard of a “love survey” at a
high school. The first question was: “Do people love others to truly care for
others or to benefit themselves?” About 99% of the students answered their love
was self-seeking gratification. Then the second question: “Would you prefer to
be loved by one who put themselves or you first?” Of course 100% of the
students voted the second option.
Do you see a disconnect? Although each
student wanted to be loved by someone who put them first, no one was willing to
offer that kind of love. Each person lived in the “love myself” mindset.
Yes, we know what we want. We desire good fruit. We want people to give us authentic
love into real relationships that strengthen us and help us find joy and
satisfaction. We want people to pour their hearts into us. But we are too
selfish to pour back. We plant bad seeds of selfishness and grab all the fruit
for ourselves. We are taught to take but never to give. One day the garden will
be empty.
LIFE
Link: Love is tender nurturing to produce lasting nourishment in another’s
heart.
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