Figs, Fruit and Forgiveness
Life is full of choices. It’s estimated that adults make 35,000 every day and most probably without even thinking about them; an irony in and of itself. When we examine the choice to forgive or at least placate that that forgiveness has taken place it has to cause one to question what kind of fruit is beared as a result. Hence the figs, fruit and forgiveness come into play.
In the Parable of the Fig tree there is much to learn about repentance and Christlike living; yet as a society we still continue to fail and fail miserably. It is time for change. Aren’t you ready? How often have you been staring in the mirror knowing that there is something beyond what you see; yet you still are where you are?
In Luke 13: 6-7 it reads, ‘“A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So 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.’… (NIV) The scripture continues although stopping at this point is pertinent because the question to reflect upon is what fruit do you have growing that is hidden? And hidden by unforgiveness? The tree is there; but it doesn’t bear fruit.
How many years and how many people are looking at you and not seeing what is there? How much longer are you going to allow your fig to not be found? You see; just because something isn’t found doesn’t mean that it isn’t there or that it doesn’t exist. It means that it isn’t ‘found’. It means that there is something hidden to uncover.
It was three years that the man was looking; and found nothing. Not one fig. Imagine three years of not seeing any change and then reflect on this: many people live lives where there is no change; yet they see it not. Further; this gentleman went three years before it is clear he spoke with the caretaker. How many years of your life have gone by where you may not have seriously taken inventory of your genuine level of forgiveness? How often have you ‘looked’ at it but did nothing further?
You see; until you get beyond ‘looking’ nothing will change. We see in verse 8 it reads, ‘“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.’ What we see is that there were steps taken to make the change. An action was to take place in order to get to that next level of fruit bearing; the same with forgiveness. If you simply identify something and move on but never actually deal with it then you will be where you are long after your future has become your past.
If you are believing or blaming God for something that hasn’t yet occurred; ask Him if there is unforgiveness. Ask Him what must be done because there probably is something you may not be aware of. Don’t get caught in just looking and passing by. Don’t do that.
Unforgiveness is one of the biggest blessing blockers in anyone’s life. It hinders blessings, the ability for God to use you to His desire; and it decreases your hearing from Him. It will leave you empty and further separated from Him than you can ever realize. It destroys relationships, it destroys business deals; and it does destroy every aspect of a person’s life. It that what is happening to you in your life right now? Waiting and whaling instead of soaring and singing? It’s time now to decide to grow fruit and see the figs of your future.
For more about forgiveness watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ weeknights at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork.
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