Mark 11:12-14 – “And on the next day, when they had departed from Bethany, He became hungry. 13 And seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And He answered and said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.”  NASB

As we continue our our consideration of a Life that is Nothing but Leaves let us recall some important points. First, the precept that “God Has A Right to a Reasonable Expectation of Fruitfulness from All His Creatures.”  Second, I call to mind the precept, “God is Mocked by Mere Professions Instead of Fruitfulness.”  Jesus had come for figs but found only leaves.  His response indicates the view of God on hypocrisy.

It is possible to appear religious and feign, imitate, or counterfeit all the commonly identified things of a Christian life, yet possess none of those qualities. When fruitlessness is present that sin is often aggravated by bold hypocritical professions and pretense.  The fruit is the product of proper conditions, not pretense. 

For a fruit tree to bear fruit it must have care and nurture. It must endure pruning, enjoy fertilization, watering, sunshine, and all the other required ingredients that make for a fruitful condition.  That is true in our lives as well.  It is vital that we remember that Fruit comes from God and is not something we produce on our own.

Third, I want us to address the precept that “God, in the End, Will Give All False Professors a Fitting Retribution.”  I realize that sounds harsh and is somewhat ‘hellfire and brimstone’ preaching but it is an unavoidable truth in the Bible.  We are told in Hebrews 9:27 that all of us will die and after death, there will be God’s judgment or examination of our lives here on earth.  If we sow to the wind, we will reap the whirlwind.  If we sow to the flesh, we will of the flesh reap corruption.  That decision will be final and there will be no appeal. 

We are God’s workmanship.  We have been created by His own hands and He has a reasonable expectation for us to produce fruit according to the talent and ability He has deposited in us.  That is not a penalty but a privilege and should produce joy and rich blessing.  When we make Him Lord of All and bear fruit our lives take on a new radiance and joy that draws people to Him.  It is then and only then that we find true fulfillment and completeness.

God does not expect us to produce something according to what someone else has done or is doing.  Yet, He does expect us to bear fruit according to the deposit He has placed in us.  The answer does not lie in the plans we have made but, in the actions, we take along His planned pathway that produces the Victory. 

2 Corinthians 6:2 advises that “Now is the accepted time.”  There is no promise of any more tomorrows so we must work while it is yet day for the night is coming and we will no longer be able to work.  God desires total commitment.  No, God demands total commitment and has endowed each of us with certain talents, abilities, gifts, and opportunities.  Let’s purpose in our hearts to be useful and bearers of His fruit in our lives.

God bless you as you embark on His journey for your life!