Walking With Jesus Sample

AN OPPORTUNITY TO BEAR FRUITS 

Mathew 11:12-14, Luke 13:6-9

“Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year until I dig around it and fertilize it.  And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, you can cut it down.'" (Luke 13:7-9)

We learn from the above parable that God wants fruit. One thing we need to know about fruit is that fruit is physically visible. That is the reason why we can know someone’s quality by his fruit.  (Matt 7:15-20).  We can see these visible fruits in words, feelings or thoughts, mental attitudes, actions, behavior, or reactions to problems that come in our lives. We find in Mark 11:12-14 that Jesus cursed a fig tree that was shady but had no fruit. 

A fruitful life is always bound by time, and God always understands that time. Therefore, God still gives grace to those unfruitful by allowing them to bear fruit (Luke 13:8-9). Unfruitful Christians need to recognize and seize every opportunity that God gives to them to bear fruit.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” We understand from the verse above that every opportunity to bear fruits is beautiful even though we might not understand God's purpose in our lives. We must believe that in God's grace, we will bear fruits in His time.

Reflection:

1. Have you ever seen a tree that does not produce fruit in its season? What do you think about that tree?

2. How about your spiritual life? Have you produced fruit that your neighbor can enjoy?

Application:

When God brings opportunities for you to bear fruit, take those opportunities and be fruitful!