How can we ensure our lives bear fruit pleasing to God? Reading the Scene: A Leafy Fig Tree, Empty Hands Matthew 21:19 records that Jesus “found nothing on it except leaves” and judged the tree instantly. The point is crystal clear: outward appearance without real fruit is unacceptable to the Lord. Why Fruit Matters to Jesus • Fruit is evidence of genuine life within (Matthew 7:16–20). • Fruitlessness brings judgment, not neutrality (Luke 13:6–9). • God is glorified when we bear “much fruit” (John 15:8). Identifying the Fruit God Seeks • Character Fruit—“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). • Conduct Fruit—good works that meet needs and point people to Christ (Titus 3:14). • Conversion Fruit—souls won and discipled (Romans 1:13). • Praise Fruit— “the fruit of lips that confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15). Roots Before Fruit: Staying Connected to Christ • “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you” (John 15:4). Fruit flows only from union with Him. • Time in Scripture nourishes the roots (Psalm 1:2–3). • Ongoing prayer keeps the sap of grace moving (Colossians 4:2). Cultivating the Soil of the Heart • Remove stones of unforgiveness and bitterness (Ephesians 4:31–32). • Weed out competing loves—worries, riches, pleasures (Luke 8:14). • Fertilize with obedience; every small “yes” to God enriches the soil (James 1:22). Pruning for Greater Yield • Expect the Father’s loving pruning—discipline and trials that cut away deadwood (John 15:2; Hebrews 12:11). • Welcome conviction from the Word; it trims what hinders (Hebrews 4:12). • Submit quickly; delayed obedience stalls growth (Psalm 119:60). Regular Harvest Checks • Examine yourself honestly in light of Scripture (2 Corinthians 13:5). • Invite trusted believers to speak into your life (Proverbs 27:17). • Celebrate progress and repent where lacking—both are acts of faith (1 John 1:9). Encouragement for Today’s Walk The withered fig tree warns, but it also motivates: if Christ expects fruit, He also empowers it. Stay close to Him, keep the soil cultivated, and trust the Spirit to produce a harvest that delights the Father—fruit that lasts into eternity. |
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