Scripture to Read: Luke 13:6–9
Jesus often taught using parables. God had Luke record one in Luke 13:6–9, “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.’” Jesus had just told them that repentance must occur for them to be made right with God, and then He told them this parable to illustrate that if repentance has occurred, fruit will be evident in that person’s life. Some may bear fruit quickly while others may bear fruit at a slower pace. Our fruit shows who we are in Christ and reveals our depth of intimacy with Christ. Some obvious fruit we should see in every Christian’s life is found in Galatians 5:22–23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” God’s Word does not say “the fruits of the Spirit,” but “the fruit of the Spirit.” God has given every human physical life, and He’s patient (2 Peter 3:9), hoping all will repent and bear fruit for Him.
Challenge & Application
What fruit is evident in your life that people can see and know that you belong to Christ?
How do you see God growing you and nurturing you to bear more fruit?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!