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Tree/fruit analogy with heart/works

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by The Biblicist, Aug 20, 2015.

  1. The Biblicist

    The Biblicist Well-Known Member
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    Mt. 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
    17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
    18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
    19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.



    Mt. 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
    34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
    35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.


    Mt. 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
    19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:


    The consistent use of the good/bad tree good/bad fruit analogy by Jesus refers to the heart and its works.

    In Matthew 12:33 the phrase "either make the tree" good or bad denies the heart can be both good and bad, because the tree is known by its fruit and a bad tree cannot bring forth good fruit just as a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit so there is no tree/heart that is both good and bad, but either "make" it one or the other but not both.

    Since, the good heart "cannot bring forth evil fruit" or evil works, then with what kind of heart are infants born with when they come into the world? If they come into the world with a "good" heart then that good heart cannot bring forth evil fruit! However, that is precisely what the heart of every infant brings eventually brings forth as soon as it is able to express itself with conscious determination. Do you know of any natural born infant that comes to the age of rational determination that does not intentionally bring forth evil fruit/works?
     
  2. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    That is because we are born with an adamic heart of sin and death.

    Young's Literal Translation: Romans 5:12 because of this, even as through one man the sin did enter into the world, and through the sin the death; and thus to all men the death did pass through, for that all did sin.

    When we have the new birth everything changes:

    2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

    ASV John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.

    HankD
     
  3. The Biblicist

    The Biblicist Well-Known Member
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    My sentiments precisely. Thanks Hank
     
  4. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    Yes, thanks for bringing it up, my personal opinion is that God regenerates those who are unaccountable. Whether He actually does so is not fully covered from scripture apart from perhaps this passage:

    Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

    little children: paidion Infant, child of undeveloped understanding. Friberg, UBS.

    HankD
     
  5. The Biblicist

    The Biblicist Well-Known Member
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    Agreed!!!:thumbsup:
     
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