Not Just for Decoration
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”
Luke 13:6–9
There is a world of difference between the Bradford pear tree and the Bartlett pear tree. Both names sound similar, and at a casual observation, they would appear to simply be different varieties of the same kind of tree. They are not. The Bartlett pear is known for bearing sweet, juicy fruit. In the spring, the Bradford pear tree is covered with beautiful white blossoms that would seem to indicate a bumper crop of pears. But the Bradford is a sterile hybrid that does not produce any fruit. It looks like a pear tree, and if all you care about is appearance, it is fine. But if you want pears, Bradford trees are a waste of time and space.
God’s purpose for us as His children is not that we be decorative, but that we be fruitful. Long before we were saved or even born, God had a plan for us to serve Him and work in His Kingdom. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). All Christians, not just those in vocational ministry, are to be fruitful. The work of the Holy Spirit in and through our lives will have a noticeable impact on the way we speak, think, and act.
Luke 13:6–9
There is a world of difference between the Bradford pear tree and the Bartlett pear tree. Both names sound similar, and at a casual observation, they would appear to simply be different varieties of the same kind of tree. They are not. The Bartlett pear is known for bearing sweet, juicy fruit. In the spring, the Bradford pear tree is covered with beautiful white blossoms that would seem to indicate a bumper crop of pears. But the Bradford is a sterile hybrid that does not produce any fruit. It looks like a pear tree, and if all you care about is appearance, it is fine. But if you want pears, Bradford trees are a waste of time and space.
God’s purpose for us as His children is not that we be decorative, but that we be fruitful. Long before we were saved or even born, God had a plan for us to serve Him and work in His Kingdom. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). All Christians, not just those in vocational ministry, are to be fruitful. The work of the Holy Spirit in and through our lives will have a noticeable impact on the way we speak, think, and act.
Today’s Growth Principle:
The normal condition of an obedient Christian is fruitfulness in every part of life.
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