Today’s reading: Gen 8:1–9:28, Matt 7:12–8:34, Eccles 2:12–17
Today’s theme: The fruit of conduct
Our conduct as Christians is the true evidence of God in our lives, good trees have good fruit (conduct and behaviour) whereas bad tress still have the naturally evil heart of man producing bad fruit. Having good fruit is only possible through Jesus. We also deal with one of the oldest lies regarding racism in today’s reading.
Genesis 8:1–9:28
Mankind, evil at heart
And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. Genesis 8:21 (ESV)
As humans we are evil from our youth, this confirms the biblical teaching that we are all sinners in need of salvation which is only available through Jesus Christ.
The curse of Canaan
he said, “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.” Genesis 9:25 (ESV)
Notice Noah said cursed be Canaan (Ham’s son) not cursed be Ham or any of Ham’s other children. In the past this curse has been misquoted to say that Ham was cursed and therefore the African nations that came from Ham are cursed. This is simply a lie as the curse fell to Canaan and his children who were the 7 people’s of Canaan, the promised Land. “Black” people have not been specially cursed.
Matthew 7:12–8:34
The fruit of conduct
So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. Matthew 7:17 (ESV)
Jesus has given us a very simple way to tell if someone is a true teacher, or even a true believer. What do they actually do, that is the fruit. We don’t need to know their heart (roots) we just need to observe their conduct (fruit).
Ecclesiastes 2:12–17
The unavoidable appointment
For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! Ecclesiastes 2:16 (ESV)
One appointment we all have to keep, so don’t make the pursuit of wisdom be your whole life, give your life to the one who has conquered death… Jesus!
Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014