28th Mar 26 | 12:21
Studies by Book
Luke 13 1-9 Repent and bear fruit 05 God’s grace enables us to bear fruit
📖 Luke 13:1-9
*God’s grace enables us to bear fruit* _Luke 13:1-9_
_Luke 13:7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'_
The purpose of our life as His disciples is to bear fruit. We have seen yesterday that bearing fruit is to love one another the way Jesus has loved us _(John 15:12)._ This is who Jesus is for His nature is to lay down His life for His friends _(John 15:13)._
Our Lord is warning us of the consequence of not bearing fruit. _Matthew 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire._ This is the same warning in John 15:2. _Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit._ Note Jesus is saying _every branch in me…_ He is talking about us, who consider to ourselves to be in a relationship with Jesus.
John the Baptist spoke about this strongly. He was speaking to the religious leaders, who considered themselves to be secure before God because they were the seed of Abraham. Many of us too are assuming that since we are related with Jesus, we can remain without repenting and bearing fruit. _Matthew 3:9-12 and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. (10) And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (11) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (12) His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."_
The Lord is patient with us, not willing that any should perish. His forbearance with us is for us to bear fruit _Romans 2:4-5._
Since we have received God’s grace can we continue on in our barrenness? _Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?_ Since we are under God’s grace shall we take for granted that we can live a fruitless life? _Romans 6:15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!_
*Thought to ponder*
```God’s grace enables us to bear fruit.```