PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE REPRESENTS, IN THE BIBLE, SPIRITUAL STERILITY
The Parable of the barren fig tree in the Bible, reflection
“And if it bears fruit, fine; and if not, you will cut it down later” (Luke 13:9) This reflection on the parable of the barren fig tree makes us meditate that spiritual sterility, represented in the barren fig tree, brings with it serious competitions . We must recognize that the approach to God will provide us with vision to abound in fruit and not be like the barren fig tree.
The parable of the barren fig tree referring to the nation of Israel in terms of spiritual vision
The parable of the barren fig tree contains the central theme of this chapter referring to the nation and the Jewish people as a barren nation in terms of spiritual vision. The negative attitude of Israel and its leaders.
Does the parable of the barren fig tree arouse our interest as members of the body of Christ for its content of divine judgment? Jesus spoke repeatedly about the fruit of the believer. The fruit should be thirty, sixty, one hundred for one. He does not classify us as the school that demands a sixty from us as the minimum grade, but rather demands at least a thirty.
Let’s imagine God looking for fruit in us his children, let’s ask ourselves, are there many or few fruits in our lives? The action that God will take with each one depends on us. As a teacher would say “it is up to you to achieve excellence or self-elimination”. Next, let’s go a little deeper into the parable of the barren fig tree. What does it teach us?
THE PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE: SPIRITUAL BARRENESS OF ISRAEL ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE
The parable of the barren fig tree: Sterility considered opprobrium and shame
Sterility was considered in the Bible as a reproach or shame (1 Samuel 1:1-10), while fertility was a blessing from God (Psalm 127:3-5; 128: 1-4). Jehovah’s original command given to Adam and Eve, repeated to the sons of Noah, read: “Be fruitful and become many” (Genesis 1:28; 9:7).
The parable of the barren fig tree represents spiritual barrenness according to the Bible
Spiritual sterility, represented in the parable of the barren fig tree, consists in not bearing fruit worthy of repentance. They are those negative members who cannot experience the blessings that God pours out on his people, because for them the spiritual is not within their expectations.
The parable of the barren fig tree teaches us that spiritual sterility distances us from God
This prevented them from seeing the bent woman, bound for eighteen years by Satan, and seeing the master with the power to heal her. For this reason, Jesus teaches them the hypocrisy of their hearts since they also violated the rules that they had approved as a practice of faith. They had spiritual barrenness, as the parable of the barren fig tree teaches.
Beloved, spiritual sterility, which is represented in the parable of the barren fig tree, distances us from God’s will. The exhortation of the Lord Jesus is if they do not repent they will die.
THE PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE, SYMPTOMS OF A SPIRITUAL LIFE WITHOUT FRUIT
Some of the symptoms of spiritual sterility, represented with the parable of the barren fig tree are:
1) The parable of the barren fig tree: There is no genuine repentance
It is regret, not remorse. Crying a lot or a little does not mean that we have repented from the heart or that our sins have been forgiven, since some cry but do not stop sinful practices and excuse themselves by saying that God knows they are weak.
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but he who confesses them and turns away will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13)
2) The parable of the barren fig tree: Lack of submission to the Lord
This is seeking and giving God the best of our lives. It is having the heart of a true worshiper who worships in spirit and in truth. In spirit because in worship he praises him freely (pays attention, sings, dances, speaks in tongues, listens to the message or the word, rejoices, among other things)
And truly because in the neighborhood or community he bears witness to being a true Christian and not the false imitation of a Christian (disobedient to pastoral authority, foolish, hater of the holy). So then someone who lives his life as a true worshiper in spirit and in truth, is a Christian submitted to the Lord.
THE CHURCH AND SPIRITUAL STERILITY REPRESENTED IN THE PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE
The parable of the barren fig tree represents barrenness in the church
How would we classify our congregations? We cannot, since each church lives and goes through its own experience. On the other hand, it has been said that the physical appearance of the temples denotes the spiritual and emotional state of the members of that church, so that if the temple is ruined, so is the church.
I heard this expression from one of our older brothers in the faith: “Each church has its strengths and also its demon.”
We cannot be like the barren fig tree
Conclusion on the parable of the barren fig tree
In conclusion, the spiritual sterility represented in the parable of the barren fig tree brings serious consequences to the spiritual life of the members of the body of Christ. It is God’s desire that we abound in fruit and that we be called desirable land and not barren.
The approach to God will provide us with vision to abound in fruit, both spiritually and in other things that will come in addition.
Let us not be like the barren fig tree and bear spiritual fruit
How nice it will be that on the longed-for day when we are with the Lord and he brings to light our works in the judgment of awards, we can abound in fruits one hundredfold, sixtyfold and thirtyfold.
I have heard brothers say that they are satisfied with thirty percent, I believe that we should not be conformists, let us give all our strength to the Lord without denying or putting limits on the work, but with courage soon serve God. Let us stop being like the barren fig tree and bear spiritual fruit for God.