Not Your Ordinary Tree

See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.  For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared yet what we shall be.  We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.  I John 3:1-2 (NASB)

When we met our oldest son's former boss for the first time, he told us what a fine young man he is.  We thanked him, of course, but then he looked my husband in the eye and said, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."  I hadn't heard that phrase in years, but that particular incidence has planted it forever upon my heart.  Reading this verse this morning brought it to the forefront once again.

First, God is not a tree, but we can liken our relationship to Him as one.
...if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.  Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.  Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.  For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. Romans 11:16b-24 (ESV)

Second, we were created in His image, but desired more.  This sin cut us off from the living tree and left us as branches.  We still resemble the tree a bit outwardly, but there is no root system to feed us the sap we need to continue to live.  Eventually the sap dries up and we are good for nothing but burning and so burn we will.  However, in His great love for us, God offers us His personal sap, so to speak.  The sap is the trees lifeline as is blood ours.  God poured out His own blood through His Son Jesus.  He offers us this as a free gift from Himself.  If we accept it, He will do more than simply give us our own root system, which He could have chosen to do, but rather He grafts us into His own tree and becomes our life support.  Jesus' resurrection proved this life He is offering is not temporary, but eternal. 

I praise God that I am not simply an apple that fell from the Tree, but a tree made in His image so that He can graft me into Himself where He will sustain me for all eternity.  My branch may display different fruit from another of His branches, but look what Revelation says about the Tree of Life:
And in the center of the street on this side and on that, upon the river, The Tree of Life which produces 12 fruits, and every month it gives its fruits and its leaves for the healing of the peoples.  Revelation 22:2  (Aramaic Bible in Plain English)

We were created to be God's children, to produce the fruit of His choice.  He knew we would cut ourselves off from Him, but loved us and wanted us so badly, He was willing to allow it to happen.  He already had the solution and, even though it came at an extreme price, was willing to give it.  Our purpose now, as His children, His branches?  We are to produce the fruit that heals all nations; the fruit that makes mouths water and bodies ache.  The fruit that draws them to the Tree of Life....LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL.
In each situation we must ask ourselves if we are producing ripe, sweet, juicy fruit, or immature, green and bitter? 
Lord, grant us wisdom to know the difference!!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22 -23