“And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ (Luke 13:6–9, ESV)
This scripture was in my reading yesterday and has been in my mind and I want you to notice. few things: the man owns the vineyard and is expecting fruit. This is not the first time he has come looking for fruit from the fig tree, three years in a row it has disappointed him. The owner orders it cut off because it is taking the space where another fig tree could be planted. The vinedresser is gracious and pleads on its behalf that he may try one more year. The vinedresser intends to enrich its roots with manure.
As I read this a question rushed into mind, As a believer whom he saved and planted in his body If I was that fig would God find fruit in me? Are there areas in my life where God has come countlessly to find no fruit. Clearly, it needed to be destroyed but yet grace won the day. The picture of the chance for the tree to have another year is the picture of what the gospel has done for us. We were destined for the wrath of God, but he made his Son be Sin for us so that we might be the righteousness of God.(2 Cor 5:21) I am also glad that he gave the Holy Spirit, the Helper to be like the manure in our lives.( John 14:26, 15:26, 16:1-15) John Stott said that "The Christian life is essentially life in the Spirit, that is to say, a life which is animated, sustained, directed and enriched by the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, true Christian discipleship would be inconceivable, indeed impossible.[1]” In other word's bearing fruit is impossible. Could this be what the manure looks like?
My prayer is Lord! If apart from Jesus and his Spirit I can do nothing ( John 15:5) May I willingly follow you and bear fruit that remains. (John 15:16) May you find fruit in my life when you come seeking and if not graciously supply the manure I need to bear fruit.(6-9)
[1] John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 216.