August 9 - Nothing But Leaves.

Mark 11:13
“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.”
 
The figs come before the leaves, yet this fig tree stood afar off from Jesus with many leaves…seemly promising fruit, yet leaving Jesus empty handed.
 
The fig tree gave the appearance that it bore fruit, yet it was fruitless.
Jesus then declared the tree unfruitful forever.
 
There are many today whose lives bear leaves which portrays themselves as fruit-bearing, yet they are fruitless. Their leaves indicate there is fruit hanging from the branches, yet they are empty.
 
Imagine yourself as that fig tree which Jesus saw afar off.
 
Would He find nothing but leaves?
Will you be left empty handed at the Judgment Seat of Christ?
 
What a solemn and convicting reminder of our need to be fruitful for His glory!
 
God’s first blessing upon Adam and Eve was for them to be fruitful.
 
Genesis 1:28
“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply…”
 
It is His desire that we be fruitful, not fruitless.
 
John 15:4
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”
 
John 15:5
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
 
There is fruit to bear, if only we will abide in Him.
He has left us here for the purpose of bringing forth fruit for His glory.
 
John 15:16
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
 
Ask Him to enable you to be fruitful for His glory.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Esther 9-10   |    James 5