What Kind of Tree Are You?

In the Houston area, we have Chinese Tallow trees. No one likes these trees. They grow rapidly, and they grow pretty much anywhere under pretty much any conditions. The wood is too soft to be usable for anything, and the trunk and branches are too thin to do anything with even if the wood was good. They don't spread out much, so they're not any good for shade. They don't produce any fruit. And they choke out the plants and trees that people actually want to grow.

We should want to avoid being this sort of tree, spiritually. The Bible often speaks of people in terms of plants, and it's interesting to note what sort of tree we should be. Psalm 1 speaks of the man who delights in the law of the Lord as being like a strong tree planted by streams of water. The tree yields fruit, and the tree does not die, but keeps getting stronger. Is this the sort of tree we are? Do we focus on God's word, growing stronger in it? That sounds to me like a pretty good type of tree to be!

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 1:2-3

In Luke 3:7-9, John warns the people that the ax is at the root of the trees already. When someone already has the ax out and has it at the tree, there's not a lot of time left for that tree. And John tells the people that every tree that does not produce good fruit is going to be cut down. Of course, he is not speaking of actual trees here, but of people. The fruitful, productive trees, like those in Psalm 1, will be left standing and will continue to grow. The unproductive, worthless trees will be cut down, and thrown into the fire. And there's not a lot of time to decide which type of tree we want to be. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Including our tree.

Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Luke 3:7-9

So what makes us a productive or unproductive tree? The fruit that we produce. That is how we can look at our lives and tell what sort of tree we are.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Do we produce the fruit of the spirit? Are we making ourselves useful in God's service? Are we proving ourselves to be good trees that are worth keeping? Or are we neglecting to produce fruit, failing to be the strong tree by the river, and have only the fire to look forward to? Are you an oak tree, or a Chinese tallow?