Did you know that you are the “ fig tree ” that Jesus has thus far spared? (See Luke 13:6–9.) A brother received this warning: “You should have gained a valuable experience during the many years that you have been blessed with the great light God has permitted to shine upon your pathway. I heard a voice saying in reference to you: ‘It is an unfruitful tree; why should its fruitless branches shadow the space that a fruitful tree might occupy? Cut it down; for why cumbereth it the ground?’ Then I heard the pleading tones of Mercy’s sweet voice, saying: ‘Spare it a little longer. I will dig about its roots; I will prune it. Give it one more trial; if it fails to be fruitful then, you may cut it down.’ So a little longer probation is granted the unproductive tree, a little longer time for the barren life to blossom and bear fruit. Will the opportunity given be improved? Will the warnings of God’s Spirit be heeded?” Testimonies, vol. 4, 188, 189.
God has given you and me a little longer to blossom and bear fruit. What are some of these fruits?
“Be clothed with humility as with a garment. Bear no thorns to prick and to bruise others, but make manifest the fruits of the Spirit—‘love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law’ (to condemn). ‘And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another’ (Galatians 5:24–26).” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 210.
“Are you, O careless heart, a fruitless tree in the Lord’s vineyard? Shall the words of doom erelong be spoken of you? How long have you received His gifts? How long has He watched and waited for a return of love? … You have taken the name of Christ, you are outwardly a member of the church which is His body, and yet you are conscious of no living connection with the great heart of love. The tide of His life does not flow through you. The sweet graces of His character, ‘the fruits of the Spirit,’ are not seen in your life.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 216.
God wants us to be “… trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3.
“The heart that does not respond to divine agencies becomes hardened until it is no longer susceptible to the influence of the Holy Spirit. Then it is that the word is spoken, ‘Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground’ (Luke 13:7)?” Christ’s Object Lessons, 218.
Father: I am so thankful that You have allowed me a little longer probation so that Jesus may dig about my roots and prune me so I can grow. Please continue to allow the fruits of Thy Holy Spirit, which are so fragrant and beautiful, to flow through me so that there be no shadows around me and I will be a productive tree in your vineyard and to Your glory. Amen.