Fruitful Or Barren - Which?

by J.M. Lindsay, Edinburgh, U.K. | Category: General | Nov 1983

Israel, in Scripture, is likened figuratively to three kinds of tree, each of them potentially prolific fruitbearers: the fig, the olive and the vine. But the vine brought forth wild grapes', the olive was a disappointment2, and the fig tree was barren3.

The fig tree, in Scripture, is a symbol of fertility, peace and prosperity; a good one will bear two full crops each year.

Jesus had a parable about a fig tree4. This tree was planted in a vineyard and for three years the owner was disappointed when he came looking for fruit; there was none. His patience ran out. "Cut it down," he said to the vineyard keeper. "It takes up space that could be put to better use." "Give it one more year, Sir," the man replied. "I'll dig around it and fertilize; just one more year; if it's still unfruitful we'll get rid of it." There the parable ends.

Clearly the parable found its most immediate application in the failure of the Jewish nation to bring forth fruit to God's glory. They were an elect nation whose role was to be a witness for God on earth, a people among whom He would dwell, a people who would produce spiritual fruit in their lives. Israel consistently failed to meet God's expectations.

The fig tree normally takes three years to reach maturity, and its fruitbearing capacity, in the interim, does not reach is full potential. The owner of this vineyard came each year for three years and found no evidence of fruit whatsoever. He was entitled to be disappointed, and the more so because the tree had been planted in a field or by the wayside. This one was planted in a place of special privilege, and enclosed space, and received particular care and attention. If any tree should have borne fruit it certainly ought to have been this one. The owner was a fair man. It says he came looking for fruit, not much fruit; his expectations were modest, but they were nevertheless disappointed. There was none. There were plenty of leaves as had the fig tree which Jesus cursed; the tree was apparently healthy, but it bore no fruit. Unless bearing fruit, the tree was of little use to anyone; it was simply cluttering up the vineyard and deserved to be cut down.

Israel, this privileged people, specially selected and favoured by God, consistently failed and disappointed Him. Despite His great patience and forbearance, God eventually recognized their inability to meet His reasonable expectations of them. They were therefore set aside in the divine purpose, and so we find the Son of God, while on earth, saying to the Jewish people, "The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.5"

A very significant landmark had been reached in God's dealings with the human family. God's purposes thereafter would now centre on a new people, and His kingdom on earth would find a new expression. That was seen in the very early days in New Testament Churches of God, and is seen today in Churches of God which form the Fellowship of God's Son. The justification for that statement has been established in this magazine frequently in the past, and will, in the Lord's will, be dealt with again in the future.

Those who find their place within a church of God today are surely in a place of special privilege. Privilege invariably brings with it responsibility and high privilege brings high responsibility. The people of God who form the house of God on earth today, the Holy Nation, are required to bear fruit for God. Before that can happen there must be evidence, in the lives of individuals, of those beautiful characteristics which are described as being the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and temperance6. The fruit God wishes to see is the clear evidence of a committed, dedicated people bearing witness to His truth, giving clear expression to His purposes, acknowledging His absolute sovereignty in all things and in doing so offering the transparent evidence of lives which bear the reflection of the beautiful character of His Son. An important part of that will entail a faithful, conscientious presentation of His gospel to sinner men and women, and an earnest commitment to communicating the truth of His house to Christian people. Part, at least, of the fruit which the people of God bear will be expressed in the success which they enjoy in fulfilling these objectives.

In this overall context, we who have found a place in God's house, among God's people on earth today, need to undertake a personal assessment of our own spiritual fruitbearing or the lack of it. A lot of foliage can camouflage successfully the absence of fruit and we need to be careful not to confuse activity, in a spiritual context, with fruitbearing. Sadly the two are all too often far from being synonymous. God wants fruit not leaves, and in that great day when "each man's work shall be made manifest"7, it will be fruit which will be all-important.

The God who forsook His Old Testament people for lack of fruitbearing and spiritual waywardness looks less eagerly, in these remnant times, for an abundance of spiritual fruit from His New Testament people. We must not disappoint Him. Jesus said that "every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire8. He was again talking specifically about fruitbearing; a man's eternal security is not here in view. What is in view is the potential which all born again believers have to live a life which will be well pleasing to God and one which bears fruit to His glory. Sadly, for some, there comes a time when the great divine overview of their lives prompts the conclusion that this objective has not and will not be fulfilled. Such a man is saved "yet as by fire", and the loss eternally, is his entirely.

Perhaps you find it difficult to describe yourself as a fruitbearer; maybe you find difficulty in identifying evidence in your own life that you measure up to God's requirements. No need to despair; to recognize the deficiency is an important first step. Remember the vineyard keeper; "Just one more year" was his appeal. Thank God we have One who ever liveth to make intercession for us9. The days are darkening, many of us have less of life ahead than we have behind, and the great day of assessment suddenly seems much nearer. How confident dare I be of the accumulated fruits await my arrival at that Judgement Seat, or is there a possibility that I could one day stand before the great Judge without even "one soul with which to greet Him" as the hymn writer has so poignantly put it? Fruitful or barren which?

References.

1 Isaiah 5:2-4

2 Romans 11:17-20

3 Matthew 21:19

4 Luke 13:6-9

5 Matthew 21:43

6 Gal. 5:22-23

7 l Cor. 3:13

8 Matthew 7:19

9 Hebrews 7:25

J.M. Lindsay, Edinburgh, U.K. | Nov 1983
General