REVEALING GOD DEVOTIONAL - WHERE ARE YOUR FRUITS?
Bless God for another day! I believe you had a good night’s rest. Previously, we talked about abiding in God as a paramount need of every Christian. Today I want to continue on that line of thought, based on a parable Jesus told His disciples.
Jesus said, “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down” (Luke 13:6-9).
In this parable, Jesus spoke of a man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. Year after year for three years, he came seeking fruit from the fig tree, but the tree, no matter how much it was nourished, remained barren. It was only occupying space that other productive plants could use. So the vineyard owner wanted to cut down the tree, but the gardener begged him to leave it for one more year to see if it would produce fruit.
The message of this parable shows that God is looking for results from our new birth in Christ, because fruits represent our character and works in Christ. Once a person gets born again, God plants His seed of life and righteousness in them. But as you know, a seed can remain dormant for several years if it is not properly attended to. Nevertheless, Jesus will always play His part in attending to His seeds by pouring His grace on them so they can grow and produce fruits. But we need to cooperate with Him. Sometimes these seeds grow up, but when they are expected to produce fruits, they refuse to do so. Therefore, we see two sets of Christians: those who refuse to grow no matter how much Word of God they are exposed to, and those who grow but refuse to serve the will of God.
Even though both categories are not pleasing to God, the latter is worse — the Christian who has grown but refuses to bear fruit. God hates this. That is why Jesus cursed a fig tree and it withered and died. The tree Jesus cursed had green leaves, which showed it was healthy enough to produce fruit. But when Jesus approached it from afar, He found nothing but leaves. The scripture says, “And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it” (Mark 11:13-14).
What Jesus did sounds hard, but no man will waste his resources grooming someone and not expect dividends from his investment. Likewise, God hates wasting His resources on a person only for that person to wander off seeking their own desires. There are many Christians that God is calling into ministry, but they have abandoned their calling for the gains of the world. Make no mistake, God will give another person your position and leave you to your own will until judgment day.
My advice is to wake up and serve God rather than living for the things of this temporary world, because at the end of the day, serving God makes you gain in both ways rather than lose everything.
Have a blessed day!
Today’s Reading:
Luke 13, Proverbs 13---
Nevertheless, if you are not born again you can do so today by saying this simple prayer below out with your mouth in faith, believing that Jesus Christ died and rose again for your sins.
Prayer for Salvation
Dear Lord, I believe Jesus died and rose again for me. Forgive me my sins and come into my life. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Thank you Father for doing this for me. Reveal yourself to me today. In Jesus name, Amen.
Congrats, your status has changed to that of a child of God, if you said this prayer in faith.