Text: Luke 13:7 NKJV

Further Reading: Luke 13:6-9

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?’

Luke 13:7 NKJV

MESSAGE

Today we want to consider the other form of barrenness which is spiritual barrenness. A state of unfruitfulness in one’s spiritual life and endeavours. A spiritually barren person lacks productivity in bringing other souls into the kingdom.

One thing that is worth noting is that satan in his operation never accepts spiritual barrenness in his human agents. That is why the people in the occultic groups always find a means of bringing new members into their evil circle. Fruitfulness seems to be mandatory for them, but the same enemy works tirelessly to ensure that the believer is content with the life of spiritual barrenness.

In God’s kingdom, spiritual barrenness is very dangerous because it has eternal consequences. God expects every one of His children to bear fruit. Jesus said He has chosen us to bear abiding fruits (John 15:16). He also warns that any child of God who lacks fruitfulness will be cut off from the vine. Our abiding in Christ is subject to our fruitfulness (John 15:2).

In our text and reading of the day, we saw how God demands the fig tree’s fruitfulness. That fig tree represents your life and mine. We were planted when God saved us through His Son. Every year, God comes to see if we are fruitful. We can also see the yearly disappointment that God has met over that life.

Are you fruitful spiritually? Do you win souls to the kingdom of God? Are you faithful in sharing your faith in Jesus in your workplace and your community? If you are not, then you are spiritually barren. You must cry to God to help you and show you His mercy.

Apart from soul winning, is your life showing forth the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Are you are fruitful in good works? Jesus said that the believer’s light must shine before men through their good works so that the unbelievers may glorify God in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

The divine judgment on the barren tree was to cut it off, but the advocate Christ Jesus pled for another year. Has God not made a verdict over your life because of your barrenness in His work? Are you not living on extra grace that could soon expire? This is a time for thorough self-examination and repentance. We must ask God to quicken us again, so that we may be earnest in bringing more souls into His kingdom.

Make up your mind today to go all out for Jesus, and say no to all forms of spiritual barrenness.

REFLECTION

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

John 15:8 NKJV

The singular proof of our discipleship and following Christ is our spiritual fruitfulness.

PRAYER

Father, Please help me to be fruitful in every area of my life and put an end to spiritual barrenness in my life.