He Came To It And Found Nothing

And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
Mt 21:19

A few weeks back, we considered Rom 16:17 which encouraged us to “note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”  As we discussed recognizing these invididuals that would disrupt the unity within the church, one person pointed out that “you will know them by their fruits.” (Mt 7:16)  Indeed, as Christ continued in that same passage, “every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” (v. 17) But, there’s a difference in our Mt 21:19 text.  A distinction is made.  The problem with this tree is that it produces no fruit!

So, what do we do with such a tree?  I want to point out that the outcome is the same for this tree as the one that produces evil fruit because Jesus says, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Mt 7:19) But, I also want to point out that the tree with no fruit is in worse shape than the one producing evil fruit!  Listen to the word of Christ to the Laodiceans in Rev 3:15-16:

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

This fig tree represents an individual that is lukewarm!  The Lord says it would be better to be cold–producing evil fruit in open rebellion against God–than to be lukewarm.  This lukewarm person is a hypocrite because he’s got the outward evidence of being a good tree, but under closer inspection, we find he lacks in one crucial area.  As the blessed man is described as a tree in Ps 1:3, we find that his “leaf also shall not wither”.  The righteous are evergreens!  They don’t lose their leaves, but always have that evidence of life.  Well, what do we find concerning this fig tree as the Lord approaches it?  It’s covered in leaves!  The outward evidence points to life.  It has every indication of being a good tree.  It’s not a tree we would identify as producing poisonous or inedible fruit.  It is a tree that ought to produce good fruit and yet it has none at all!  That’s the crucial difference between him and the blessed man in Ps 1:3.  The good tree “brings forth its fruit in its season”.

You see, everyone born of the Spirit produces fruit!  Jesus said in Jn 15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…”  Without a doubt, without an exception, every single one of the Lord’s children will bear fruit!  It is the evidence that sets them apart from mere professors of faith.  There are some that have superficially attached themselves to the vine, but they will never bear fruit.  The outcome is the same for them as it is for the fig tree: “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away…” But, I’ve got good news!  The fruit-producing branches will be made to bear more!  “…and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (Jn 15:2)

That verse makes an important point.  Fruit-bearing is the job of the Father as He prunes His vine.  We can’t make ourselves produce fruit.  Our job is to keep our hearts fixed on Christ.  Abide in Him, and fruit will abound to the praise of His glory!  “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (Jn 15:4) And, guess what happens as the fruit comes forth?  Inside that fruit is that precious seed, that seed of the gospel.  As we bear that fruit of the Spirit in our lives, the gospel goes forth and other seeds are planted.  Others are born into the kingdom of God!  Don’t you want that, dear soul?  We don’t need some fresh, new evangelistic campaign to win souls to Christ!  We need to simply abide in Him, and, before you know it, good trees will be popping up all over the place!

Jamie

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