Spirit And Life Devotional: Bearing Fruit

Matthew 21:18-19 NKJV “Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 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.”

Here’s what the Pulpit Commentary says about Jesus’ experience with the fig tree: “Knowing the nature of the tree, and that under some circumstances the fruit ripens before the leaves are fully out, Jesus naturally expected to find on it some figs fit to eat. Further, besides the fruit which comes to maturity in the usual way during the summer, there are often late figs produced in autumn which hang on the tree during winter, and ripen at the reawakening of vegetation in the spring. The vigour of this particular tree was apparently proved by the luxuriance of its foliage, and it might reasonably be expected to retain some of its winter produce. Found nothing thereon, but leaves only. It was all outward show, promise without performance, seeming precocity with no adequate results.”

It’s obvious that God expects us to be fruitful. Your Christianity must go beyond being a show. Go beyond having a form of godliness. Don’t be a Christian who attends church but doesn’t live the Christian life. You simply can’t be a Christian without fruit; it means you are not abiding in the Vine and that His word is not abiding in you. Fruitless branches are cut off and burnt with fire! God is glorified when we bear much fruit.