In Mark 11:12-14 we read the following account concerning Jesus, “And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.” One might now logically ask, “Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?” He did not curse the barren tree because it failed to provide food for His hunger, but because it had leaves and no fruit. It gave forth the appearance of bearing fruit, yet it had no fruit. For you see, a fig tree in that area that holds leaves through the winter usually has fruit also – but this one was a fake, it had no fruit, but was a deceiving form. If a tree is living – bearing leaves – it is expected to bear fruit. That is its purpose for living.
Likewise, we that are spiritually alive in Christ Jesus are expected to “bear fruit” in our lives. If we give forth the appearance of righteousness, then God expects us to “bear righteousness”. Bearing fruit will be manifest in our lives as we go through great trials and great opportunities. These times cause a person to think of God, of his need of God, and of his obligation to use his life for good (for example, feeding, clothing, and giving to others). Christ expects us to bear fruit in a very special way during these times: to turn to Him in trial, and to help and bear witness when great opportunities arise.
Sadly, many self-professed “Christians” today are living their lives of “leaves” – without any fruit. Their “Christian” lives are often exposed as “fake-fruit-bearers” – as declared through the following Scriptures.
2 Peter 2:17-18 states,
“These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.”
Mark 7:7-9 states,
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”
In John 15:8-12 Jesus stated what it means for one to bear fruit – as well as the rewards of doing so through a willing serving heart.
For it states,
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
Jesus also stated the following in Matthew 5:13-16,
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
As children of God, let us take hold of Galatians 6:9-10,
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
The question that now remains is, “Are you bearing fruit for the Lord, or does your life only show forth leaves – as a fake-fruit-bearer?”
