Devo Luke 13:6-9

Jesus tells a story about a farmer and a non-fruit bearing fig tree. There are a couple of lessons to learn in the story. First of all, God expects us to bear fruit. While we are saved by grace through faith, the tell-tale evidence shows that God expects his people to bear fruit. This could be both the fruits of the Spirit, as well as the fruit from reproducing (making)disciples. In the story, we see that the tree has not bore fruit in three years, and the farmer tells the worker to cut it down. The worker asks for one more year after he has cultivated around the tree and fertilized it. God is patient in that He gives ample time for us to grow, but there is an ending point to His patience. Some work is necessary for fruit-bearing...cutting out old stuff and putting in the necessary nutrients for growth (good spiritual habits:prayer, Bible study, church involvement, etc.). Sometimes it may take longer than other times. We must be willing to do the work toward fruit-bearing. If you don't bear fruit, you're a waste. If you were a fig tree, then you would be dug up and thrown in the fire. That spot in the soil in which you existed was being wasted. These are pretty strong words from the Savior. Hello! For further study: Gal.5:22-23; John 15:1-17