This Is Why You Must Be Fruitful

There are stages of growth for every human. From baby to toddlerhood, to childhood, to adolescence, and to adulthood. Each of these has its characteristics, right? So, imagine a boy you know who grew and became an adolescent, maybe at age sixteen. The last you saw him was age eight, but you noticed something strange about him. Although he grew, he still sounded exactly like his eight-year-old self. His voice hasn’t broken, and the external features of development, except for height, haven’t occurred. You will be quick to conclude that he has some developmental issues, right?

The same can be said for a tree that has grown but is yet to bring out any fruit; anyone who is conversant with agriculture will know that something is wrong somewhere. So, the owner of the tree then asked the gardener to cut the tree down because it had not brought fruit for three years. However, the gardener asked the owner to give the tree one more year because he would dig around the tree and apply fertilizers to it to help the tree grow better. And if there isn’t any change after a year then the tree would be cut down. Sounds like a state of emergency right?

Jesus gave the story of the tree as a parable to refer to the spiritual growth of some Sons and Daughters of God. God is the owner, and Jesus is the gardener. It is normal for us to bear fruit as we grow in the Lord Jesus. We all received His Holiness and righteousness as an inheritance. And as we continue in Him, the fruit of the spirit is seen. But it is unusual not to see any fruit after a certain period, thus understanding the spiritual growth pattern of the Son or Daughter of God. It means the person isn’t feeding well.

Jesus said in John 15:5, that he who abides in Him, and He in the person bears much fruit. For without Him, we can do nothing. If this is so, it implies, the Son or Daughter of God who isn’t bearing fruit isn’t focused on Christ Jesus. Colossians 2:6-7 says “[6]  As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. [7]  Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.” AMPC.

We must continue in Christ Jesus by allowing Him to regulate our lives and not the world, or else we remain a baby that has refused to grow. This is why the gardener said he would dig around the tree and place fertilizer in the dug area around the tree. This implies guiding the Son or Daughter of God through a proper orientation in Christ Jesus, knowing who He is, having Bible studies and intentional meditation on the word for the person to be without excuse for not knowing the Lord. With this, he or she will choose the life he or she wants to live. This is seen by the fruit a year later. As the gardener said, if there is no fruit after this, then you can cut the tree down because the person deliberately chose not to abide in the Lord Jesus.

To be a Son or Daughter of God is not just in the name but in the action. Are you meditating on the word of God daily? What do you allow to shape your life, because out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks? (ref.: Matthew 12:34). Also, we are to guard our hearts with all diligence, for out it flows the issues of life. (ref.: Proverbs 4:23). Whatever goes into our hearts grows and shapes our lives, and this has to be what we signed up for-- the life of Jesus.

Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t? Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations—you’re born again, and you are now brand new!

                                          

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Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are obtained from the New King James Version (NKJV)