[First published 15 May 2022]
Jude Ayua
And he 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, ‘Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?’” — Luke 13:6-7
Arguably every farmer plants crops with an expectation of a yield; Every business man or woman sells goods expecting a profit; And every investor puts money into businesses with an expectation of returns. Similarly, God planted human beings and expects them to be useful in diverse ways; You are God’s investment and He expects returns from your life. You are God’s business, and He wants us to yield profit.
God expects you to bear fruits, and as Christ particularly said in John 15:16, “fruits that will abide.” You should not be a Christian only by name. Your nature, character, and lifestyle should reflect it. When you see a mango fruit, you know where it comes from. It is the reflection of its tree. Also, you should be the reflection of God from whom you have your being.
Why you must bear fruits
You were created to bear fruit; to show forth God’s glory. God made man in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-28) and for His own pleasure, glory and honour (Revelation 4:11). This means that God expects you to reflect God’s nature in your life; your thoughts, words and actions. John 4:24 explains God’s nature: “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” You are also a spiritual person, because God gave you the Holy Spirit, who transforms you into the nature of God (Romans 8:15). Therefore, if you do not bear fruit, you are not reflecting the nature of God in your life.
God has given you all you need to bear fruit. You have the time, resources, nourishment, and other things you need to bear fruit. God also planted you on good soil. So, if you are not bearing fruit, “why should [you] use up the [good soil]?” (Luke 13:7). In the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, the master questioned the right of the barren fig tree to continue enjoying the nourishment of the soil it was planted on, since it was not producing any fruit. Is God questioning your right of enjoying divine resources?
You must bear fruits to show forth your worth. Every good tree is expected to bear fruits. In Mark 11:12-14, Jesus was hungry and seeing a fig tree from a distance looking fresh, he expected to find fruit on it. Unfortunately, he found none. He then cursed the fig tree. The fig tree was not representing its true worth. You cannot be nourished and not bear fruit. You must show your worth by bearing fruit. Otherwise, you will become worthless.
What fruits should you bear?
God expects you to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit in you. Galatians 5:22-23 lists these fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You must also practice Christian living (Romans 12, Matthew 5).
How may you bear these fruits?
Jesus said in John 15:4, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” A mango fruit cannot come from a cocoa tree. If you must bear fruits, you must maintain a good relationship with God. You must be obedient to the word of God, be prayerful, and live a righteous life.
Psalm 1:1-6:
Blessed is the man who[se] delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff which the wind drives away…
The consequences for not bearing fruits
When you fail to bear fruit as God expects of you, you risk being cut down. That means death! As a human being, you will die spiritually, unlike the fig tree in the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, which would be cut down physically if it failed to bear fruit. Alive physically but dead spiritually.
When you do not bear fruit, you also become less relevant. Everything becomes useless without fulfilling the purpose for which it was made for. Do you plant a mango to eat its leaves? Do you buy a car to push around? If so, then you could have bought a wheelbarrow instead, because it is easier to push.
God gives you another chance
In Luke 13:8-9, the tender of the fig tree said to his master, “And he answered him, ‘Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and put on manure. And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
God is not a God of “second chance” but the God of another chance. He is patient, loving, compassionate, and plenteous in mercy. He keeps waiting for you and hoping that you start living the life He intends for you. But how long will God keep waiting for you? How many more chances will He give you? It is not as if God will ever run out of chances. The question is, how much time do you have? How certain are you about tomorrow? What if you die today? (I, too, forbid it on your behalf). The time is now; change your ways, return to God and live as He pleases.
Conclusion
You are God’s creation. God made in His own image; for His glory and expects you to live according to His purpose; to bear fruits of righteousness. He gives you grace and everything you need to fulfill your purpose, and if you fail to bear fruit, you will become valueless to God. You must remain in Christ to bear fruit. God is always giving you the opportunity to live according to His will. Do not miss it!
Happy Sunday
God bless you
