04/15/17 Patient, But For Only So Long

READING: 1 Samuel 27-29, Luke 13:1-22

“Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it.”

Luke 13:8

I can see the scene in my mind. Jesus had emphasized the importance of repentance, calling people to turn from their wrong. If they did not repent, they would perish. The teaching and the words were not difficult to understand. Repentance was not optional.

Then, Jesus told them a parable about a vineyard owner whose fig tree was not producing fruit. For three years, the tree had been barren; for that reason, the man determined to have the tree cut down. The vineyard-keeper, though, requested one more year of cultivation: “Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down” (Luke 13:8-9). The keeper would till the soil, fertilize it, water it well, and seek to promote fruit on the fig tree. If it didn’t produce after another year, cutting it down would then be the next step – but not immediately.

It’s likely the fig tree represented Israel, but the patience of God portrayed in this story applies to all of us. God is incredibly longsuffering with us, tolerating our unfruitfulness much longer than we would likely tolerate it in others. When others draw a line in the sand, God often extends the line a little longer simply to show His compassion and to extend His offer of grace. That is not to say, however, that He draws no line in the sand. No, He does indeed have a limit; His offers of grace do not last indefinitely when our lives do not reflect Him. Even God’s patience sometimes ends with judgment. 

Apparently, fruitfulness matters. If we claim to be a Christ follower, God expects our faith to be evident in us and before others. He who called us to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20) requires us to be doing just that. He looks to see that our lives reflect the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). He expects us to be sharing the gospel with the nations, marching forward in the power of His Spirit (Luke 24:45-49). We are to so walk with Him that others know us by our fruit (Matt. 7:20). When that doesn’t happen, our unfruitfulness risks the judgment of God.

So, this day I evaluate my fruit. I’m deeply grateful for God’s patience, as I’m sure I’ve risked God’s judgment many times before. What I don’t want to do, though, is to bank on God’s grace as if God were unconcerned about the way I live. Repentance is still not optional.

ACTION STEPS:

  • Be sure to thank God in prayer for His patient grace.
  • Repent. It’s still required.

PRAYER: “Lord, I praise You for the way You patiently love me. In light of Your love and holiness, I repent.”

TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Samuel 30-31, Luke 13:23-35

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