Notable Christians - - Posted 03-03-2010

Jesus spoke the parable in Luke 13:6-9 concerning the “unfruitful fig tree”.

Let us read this together.

     “He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he
came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard,
Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why
cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I
dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it
down.”

Have you ever noticed the words of Jesus in this passage?

Jesus clearly says that a certain man had a “fig tree planted in his vineyard.” Odd is it not?
What is a fig tree doing in a vineyard?

Normally, fig trees are not planted in vineyards. Grapes vines are, but fig trees are not. So,
what did Jesus have in mind when He taught this parable?

You can be a fig tree. In the midst of the grape vines, there are fig trees.

This fig tree represents a “notable Christian”. The vineyard is the church. The certain man is
God. The dresser of the vineyard is Jesus Christ.

The called and elect of God should be different from those around them. Even if it would
require Christ himself to refer to them as “fig trees” in the “vineyard or church of God”. You
must stand out in the church if you are to be effective in reaching souls.

Some will ask, “What do you mean stand out?”

God has called His children to be a peculiar people. A chosen generation. A royal priesthood.
They must be different.

Separate.

Apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians 6:17,

     “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not
the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”

This is not a suggestion, friend. It is a commandment. God requires separation from the
ungodly ways and ideas of this world.
     
Apostle John believed in this doctrine. Read I John 2:15-16.

     “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of
the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

You must stand out. Period.

But, notice in Luke the sadness of the parable.

This special fig tree, the one planted in the vineyard; had no fruit. This was especially sad for
the dresser of the vineyard because he had been working with this fig tree for three years,
trying to help it become fruitful.

What a picture of the Lord’s longsuffering and mercy.

As a Christian, your peculiarity will not overshadow your unfruitfulness.

In other words, although you live holy and righteous before God, this will not eliminate the
necessity for you to bring forth fruit for the sake of God’s kingdom.

You must be both righteous and fruitful. You must become that “fig tree planted in the
vineyard.” But in return, you must bear fruit for the Master’s harvest.

Examine closely the fruit of your life. Are you fruitful? Or, are you fruitless?

By allowing the Lord God Almighty to change your heart today, you can become a "notable
Christian."

II Corinthians 6:2 says,"...behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of
salvation.”  (emphasis mine)