The Test Of Fruitfulness

"Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' " (Luke13:6-9)

God desires for you to grow. Sure, you've received Christ. You're asking me,'I've already received Christ, I'm going to heaven, why should I grow?' Yes, you've received Christ, but receiving Christ does not mean you're going to heaven. Receiving Christ does not mean receiving salvation. Receiving Christ is about receiving a purpose. It's when your life takes on new meaning. The seed is planted in you the moment you accept and receive Christ, but the seed cannot grow until you make the effort to set the conditions right.

God doesn't want you to just receive the seed and leave it there. No, it'll die if it does not exist in the appropriate conditions. And that's what hurts God most, when your seed dies. God desires for you to receive the seed in your heart and then set the conditions in your heart right, so that only He can make it grow. God desires for that seed in you to grow into a mature plant and eventually bear fruit. You have a purpose, God has appointed you to bear fruit, fruit that will last (John15:16)

Friends, God has a purpose for your life. Not just to receive the seed He gracefully gave to you, but to boldly stand out from the crowd and fearlessly live your life according to His ways, and to ultimately grow that seed. God desires for you to live a life that speaks volumes of Him and for Him.

Friends the first step to becoming just like Jesus is to get your life right before God. The first step to growing that seed is to set the soil. Only then can the watering and the caring work. Only then can the seed start its growth. God doesn't desire for you to be perfect, He knows you can never be, but God desires that you become conscious of your identity, to know what you should and should not do, to be aware of your purpose and to make conscious efforts to work towards that purpose. God desires for you to live your life worthy of His. When He gave His life for yours, He desired for you to do the same.

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God." (Philippians1:27-28)


Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for you Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for you my master
Ready to do your will

Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sins
Deep within

Refiner's fore
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for you Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for you my master
Ready to do your will