Pastoral Devotion for September

Bearing fruit Read: Luke 13:6-9

If you read the above scripture passage, you would have noted that in Jesus’ parable the fig tree isn’t expected to do anything miraculous. It’s in a vineyard, but it isn’t asked to produce grapes. The owner of the vineyard doesn’t demand that it become something it is not. He only asks it to do what fig trees do…bear figs. When these expectations are not met, the owner orders the tree cut down.

The parable of the fig tree makes one point very clear; God has expectations for his people. God expects that his children will bear fruit for his kingdom. What is said concerning the fig tree, can be said for those who profess a faith in Christ. God does not expect his people to become something they are not. He merely expects that they share his love with others, producing good fruit for the kingdom. Sadly, many Christians feel that if they simply attend worship regularly, they are meeting God’s expectations. They are like the fig tree, putting out branches and leaves, but no fruit is produced.

In the twelfth chapter of 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul explains that each Christian is blessed with certain gifts for ministry. These “spiritual gifts” given at the time of our Baptism enable us to do the work God sets before us. God expects that each of us, as individuals, and as members of his Church, to use these gifts for the sake of others. In doing so we produce fruit for God’s kingdom.

From Pastor David’s blog “In The Beginning” found at http://in-the-beginning.org