Pastor Travis Burkett
What causes us to do good? What causes us to do evil? Most of the world seems to think it’s all about the decisions we make. So many believe if we set our minds on good, we do good, but if we set our minds on evil, we do that instead. Yet, in the Bible, Jesus teaches us that the real source of the heart of our actions lies much deeper than a decision that we make. It all comes down to the focus of our hearts.
Luke 6:43-45, “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
I think it’s safe to say, whatever you focus your heart on, it ends up in your life. What you thrive to do, glory in, treasure, and enjoy will end up being what you do. You don’t produce good on accident just as you don’t produce wrong on accident. It’s a real-life choice that often shows a clear path to the focus of your heart.
So, how can we change the focus of our heart? The answer is in the words of Jesus. Yet, it’s quite different than we might have expected… We might say: “Well it’s a list of rules, disciplines, or habits to form that will change our focus…” But we find Jesus saying that the focus of your heart is not based on what you do, but based on who you are. Jesus said that a good tree can’t bear bad fruit. Only good trees can bear good fruit.
So we must ask, how can we become good trees? Well, it’s only accomplished in Jesus. It’s the Gospel. Jesus makes us good despite all of our bad. He transforms us before we have done anything to earn that transformation. In fact, we can’t do anything to earn it. All we do is see ourselves as we are and ask Jesus to come into our lives and change us into who He calls us to be.
When we make the choice to accept the free gift that Christ offers us, He changes the condition of our hearts and creates in us a new focus. Our hearts should treasure Him above everything else because of what He has done for us. As Christians, we now have a clean heart and a relationship with Jesus. Our focus must be shifting towards the cross and our mindset fixed on the things of God.
So, the question is, do you want to change your focus? Start treasuring Jesus for making you into one who can bear the good. Remember, when you were at your worst, Christ made a way to change your condition to create in your heart a new focus. May we focus on Jesus today.
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