Read Proverbs 11:1-31

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

God’s people — those declared righteous under the precious blood of Christ — are intended to be like a fruitful tree which gives forth its fruit in due season, whose leaf does not wither and flow never fades (see Psalm 1:2-3). King Solomon takes it a step further by likening the righteous to be as a tree of life which bears fruit. What a marvelous comparison!

Since the first mention of the Tree of Life in the Book of Genesis — a tree which rested in the midst of the Paradise of Eden — Solomon is the only other author in the Old Testament to mention it. In fact, he uses the Tree of Life as an analogy four times in his proverbs (see Proverbs 3:18, 13:12, 15:4).

The Tree of Life always represents the fruitfulness of Eternal Life. After man sinned, he was driven from the Tree of Life in the garden and was never allowed to return.  

“Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:22–24)

What a wonderful thing to know that we will all one day return to the Tree of Life in Heaven provided us by the salvation of Christ.

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14)

(See all Revelation 2:7, 22:1-2)

In the meantime — we as God’s people are to bear the fruit of this Tree of Life. We are to be “eternal-life giving” persons to the lost world around us. Solomon even says as much in this very same verse: “And he who wins souls is wise."

As soon as you were born again into new life in Christ you became an extended branch of the Tree of Life to bear fruit for the world to see — nay! not just see but for the world to partake of — in order that those outside may come to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the words of our Lord:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Are you a soul winner? Are you a light giver? Are you a fruitful branch?

Our souls were won over by Christ, not just to grow old like a garment until we arrive in glory, but to grow up into a mighty fruitful tree that wins souls. You are planted and rooted in the garden of God’s eternal love, not for yourself only, but for others to come and eat of your fruitfulness.

God forbid that we would be as that naked fig tree which Jesus came to and found nothing but leaves! (see Matthew 21:19). This is not to be our description, Beloved!* *Rather, we are to be known by our fruits (see Matthew 7:20), and our fruits are to come from the Tree of Life.

May we be as those trees which Ezekiel saw in his vision from the LORD:

“Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”” (Ezekiel 47:12)

Lord, may our branches weigh down with abundant fruit from Your salvation and give life to all those around us. May Your light shining through us pierce the darkness and win souls, even today. If there be unfruitfulness in our lives, Lord forgive us. Plant us and increase us we pray. Amen!

“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19–20)