“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits.”
(Matthew 7:19-20)


Can we lament together for a moment? Our society has robbed man of his glorious beginning. Lumps of clay, yes, we were, but we were formed by the triune God for a glorious purpose. Inglorious beginnings but a glorious end. How much I long for the days when man knew he created by a free and gracious act of God instead of pulling himself up by his boot straps from some cesspool in Mesopotamia. The former crowns us with glory and honor; the latter awards us a participation trophy.

By robbing man of his glorious beginning, our society has robbed man of his glorious end. The Bible teaches that man was made by God for fellowship with God, and to God he will return. Today, what end in life does humanity race toward? What is our finish line? Simply look around. For modern man, from the cesspool he came, and to the cesspool he returns.

Why is this so lamentable? With no beginning nor end of any value, our actions in the middle are meaningless. Our children are increasingly enticed to perform - be it in sports, social media, and the like, because we have instilled no value beyond the present moment. Our parents die without burial policies and our children flutter through life with no plans because we have lost sight of the glorious end of which we were created. Is that not lamentable? Is this not the outer darkness with the weeping and gnashing of teeth? To be so raptured with the present that we miss the glory all around?

Jesus provides a helpful corrective - we were made for more than this. A great day approaches with fills our present moment with urgency and importance. On that day, every fruit of our lives will be laid bare. Between now and then, every word and deed, every thought and intention of our heart functions as fertilizer for the fruit of our soul. This fruit is not for ourselves, but for our Maker. We will receive far more than a participation trophy. Either we will feel the warmth of His affection or the warmth of His wrath.

My readers, especially the men who read, let us stir ourselves up by way of reminder. We were formed by God Almighty for God Almighty. Get off the couch and off the phone; get out of yourself. Believe in Jesus Christ, love Him, trust Him, obey Him, and go do something. What you do today will bear fruit into eternity.