Luke 13:6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.
Persistent faith matures and blossoms into the fruit of faithfulness.
One of the unique characteristics of a fig tree is that it produces leaves and the fruit at the same time. Also, another very unusual fact is that the fig fruit is not a single fruit – it is many small individual fruits inside one. Prolific growth of green leaves without fruit will disappoint the Gardener, the Lord Jesus.
The only thing that the Lord looks for in us is our “fruitfulness”. We cannot impress Him with the spiritual gifts – gifts are granted to us by the Master to bless others. The Lord did not boast about David’s achievements as a warrior and a writer– the 66 battles he won or the 150 Psalms that he wrote. David did not impress the Lord with the tons and tons of gold, silver and bronze that he accumulated for building the temple. It was the obedience of David that touched the heart of God. We cannot impress God with the inspiring messages we preach; the prophecies, records of healing or the books we write do not galvanize heaven. Gifts are granted to us by the generosity of God’s grace. But our obedience captures the attention of heaven. The Lord searches us to see if we are producing the fruit of repentance.
Service without sincerity is like verdant leaves without fruit. Sacrifice without obedience is only flamboyance without faithfulness. ‘To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams’ (1 Samuel 15:22). Obedience is the expression of our love to the Lord. Obedience to God’s word is like the fig that produces multiple fruits inside one fig.
Obedience & Fruitfulness:
- Gifts: We cannot impress God with our spiritual gifts or tireless service. He only looks for fruitfulness. Prophecy without purity and miracles without meekness is detestable to the Lord.
- Giving: Disobedience and stubborn rebellion cannot be camouflaged by giving and generosity.
- Growth: Spiritual fruitfulness of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, meekness and self-control, engineered by obedience, are the true reflection of growth on the inside.
Obedience produces lasting fruit.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, I submit to remain obedient to your Word. Amen.
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