Bear Fruit

<script>!function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/up840o"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");</script>

<div id="rumble_v2kneoi"></div>
<script>
Rumble("play", {"video":"v2kneoi","div":"rumble_v2kneoi"});</script>And Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

And Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
Luke 13:6–9, ESV

We are reminded to be prepared in the Word so we can speak and defend the faith in season and out of season. Jesus at one point in His ministry curses a fig tree because it has no fruit. It was noted that it was not the season for figs in Mark 11 when this account is shared. One would think it is harsh, but the lesson is clear. Our Lord is gracious and seeks to preserve us. He guards and protects us, but the calling placed on each and every follower is clear. We are meant to be fruitful. Each of us is unique and our fruit may be different, but the purpose is the same. If we have Christ in us, then our lives will reflect Him. Some seem to give God lip service and act as if their faith is unimportant but a simple practice is done to feel good. There are others who become caught up in the legal schemes that place importance only on doing things in order to look good in the world. Fruit is not necessarily based on what you do, but more importantly on who you are and to whom you belong. Good works do not save and to give a bunch of precepts that will make you a “good Christian” offer no true hope, but in living a life centered in Christ and desiring to be in His Word and seeking to serve Him in the World will prepare us in season and out of season to bear good fruit for our Lord to enjoy. He is the one that prepares us and gives us all we need. When our lives are lived in full reliance on Him, the fruit we bear will be His.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.