The Problem of Fruitlessness: Luke 13:6-9
“6) And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. 7) And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ 8) And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9) and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’ ””. Luke 13:6-9
There may be a connection between this text and John 15:1-17. This text talks about a fig tree and John talked about a vineyard, but in both cases the goal was fruit bearing.
There is a warning in both parables about bearing no fruit. In John, the fruitless branches were cut off and thrown away. In this case the whole tree was about to be cut down.
The time frame for the fig tree was three years. It was extended one more year for aggressive intervention.
I believe that true conversion brings immediate signs of new life. It is seen in spontaneous fruit bearing. If no change takes place and no fruit shows up, something is tragically wrong.
When the Spirit of God moves with conversion and regeneration, indications of new life show up quickly. (2 Corinthians 5:17) No spiritual fruit is an indication of no spiritual life.
The world is filled with religious but lost people. Branches that bear no fruit and trees that bear no fruit are cut down and discarded. They are not born-again. They have no Zoe life. (Spirit life)
There is nothing more discouraging than trying to make disciples of unconverted people. It is a waste of time. They might become outwardly religious, but they will remain inwardly carnal. Their life will be governed by the flesh and not the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-17)
This parable speaks volumes about the fruitfulness that accompanies true conversion. John 15:8 and 16 also talks about the fruitfulness that accompanies abiding in Christ. If there is no fruit there is every reason to question if spiritual life is present.
In such cases, it is prudent to go back and focus on evangelism and not discipleship. Dig deep again and make sure the tree is rooted “in Christ.” Make sure the person is born-again of the Spirit and not merely becoming religious.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“6) And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. 7) And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ 8) And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9) and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’ ””. Luke 13:6-9
There may be a connection between this text and John 15:1-17. This text talks about a fig tree and John talked about a vineyard, but in both cases the goal was fruit bearing.
There is a warning in both parables about bearing no fruit. In John, the fruitless branches were cut off and thrown away. In this case the whole tree was about to be cut down.
The time frame for the fig tree was three years. It was extended one more year for aggressive intervention.
I believe that true conversion brings immediate signs of new life. It is seen in spontaneous fruit bearing. If no change takes place and no fruit shows up, something is tragically wrong.
When the Spirit of God moves with conversion and regeneration, indications of new life show up quickly. (2 Corinthians 5:17) No spiritual fruit is an indication of no spiritual life.
The world is filled with religious but lost people. Branches that bear no fruit and trees that bear no fruit are cut down and discarded. They are not born-again. They have no Zoe life. (Spirit life)
There is nothing more discouraging than trying to make disciples of unconverted people. It is a waste of time. They might become outwardly religious, but they will remain inwardly carnal. Their life will be governed by the flesh and not the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-17)
This parable speaks volumes about the fruitfulness that accompanies true conversion. John 15:8 and 16 also talks about the fruitfulness that accompanies abiding in Christ. If there is no fruit there is every reason to question if spiritual life is present.
In such cases, it is prudent to go back and focus on evangelism and not discipleship. Dig deep again and make sure the tree is rooted “in Christ.” Make sure the person is born-again of the Spirit and not merely becoming religious.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
