Based on Luke 13:1-9 (New King James Version)
“There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.’ He also spoke this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 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?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”
Many people decide to either ignore the issue that there is a limit on how long we are on this earth, or to think that they have all of the time in the world. When people are young and in good health, they think they are invincible and that nothing can touch them at the moment. And meanwhile, they think whatever they want and do according to their arrogance and pride. The Bible teaches us that there is a time for everything, as it is written: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-3. Reality teaches us that no one knows that limit of time (if we pay some attention to what happens around us). We don’t have any idea of when it is our turn. In today’s passage, we saw two stories that taught us that we have a time limit, and for two things specifically: for repentance and to produce fruit.
In the first instance, the Lord explains to us that things that may be seen as bad do not necessarily happen to people that are worse than others. And this goes against what many people think, because many think that if they are good or if they do good things, that nothing bad will happen to them. In the grand scheme of humanity, and because of carnality reasons, we are all sinners, and that includes even those of us that have been redeemed and forgiven by the Lord. The only difference between a person that has converted to the Lord and an unbeliever is that the converted have been forgiven by the Lord. But, just because there is forgiveness does not imply total freedom from the effects of sin that is in our flesh and in the world.
The Bible teaches us this principle: “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a. Sin is what makes things here and even our own lives temporary. This is the effect of sin. And whether we sin voluntarily or even if we don’t sin voluntarily, sin is in our flesh and all around us. The reality is that we live in a world of sin. So then, if the whole world is full of sin and the wages of sin implies death, then everything that is here is under death and has a time limit (it’s finite). So, no matter how much we struggle, sooner or later, we will all perish physically either because of a sickness, or because of what another person did, or because of circumstances we explain as accidents, etc., etc. One way or another, no matter what we do, whether we are good (per se) or bad, everyone’s time will come. And the lesson is: we need to be ready for that moment, and the wise person understands, by the simple fact that all things are uncertain in this world, that they need to be ready always.
Now then, the second instance, the issue regarding producing fruit. We have a time limit on this planet, but also, there is a limit on the time that God gives us to produce fruit. The issue is that we are saved and redeemed in Christ for good works. God is a God of production, of life. So then, God gave life and awaits to see the fruit of His labor also, that He expects to see a result worthy of His investment. That is part of the likeness we have with God, the aspect that every person desires to receive something for their work and dedication. A person works so they can receive payment for their labor. A person studies because they think that it will give them more tools so they can earn a better living. A person loves someone else with the hope that the other person will value them and return that love. A couple has children and raises them with the desire that one day those children love them back, and value them the same way they did. I don’t think anyone does things so they can receive something contrary, right? No one loves so they can be despised. No one works to receive nothing. No one invests with the goal to lose everything they invested. Do you understand?
If we expect to receive good results for our efforts and affection, how much more should God expect? God created us, and gives us the ability to exist, allowing us to live; things that are said very easily and quickly, but everything that is involved with that cannot even be explained nor detailed because it is impossible. And if we think about what He did through His only begotten Son, through Jesus, and how He gave Him as the Perfect Sacrifice for all of us that don’t even look for nor appreciate Him as we should, so that we could have forgiveness and eternal life. The Righteous and the Holy died for the unrighteous and sinners. And frankly speaking, we neither deserve His sacrifice, nor does He have any kind of debt with humanity. He did it out of love. But even love looks for some sort of result, and we know this all too well because we live this daily.
This is what the Word teaches us also: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 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.” John 15:1-2. And It also tells us this: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:19-25.
So then, God not only gives us a time limit so can we repent and convert to Him, but also, so that we produce things that His Spirit helps us produce, things that finally show that we are alive in Him, and also, that we should use wisely the time He gives us to live while here on earth. So then, do you understand the time constraints that God gives you for your own life? Lord bless! John