Category: Bible reading plan

“ As I study these passages I see that we are to become more and more separate from the world, not more and more like the world. If you are so in love with your video game or books series or tv series that you become resentful if your participation in it is questioned as a professing Christian then that is evidence of a deeper spiritual problem such as idolatry. Remember my brethren, spiritual blindness is a judgment that comes from God upon those who refuse to repent of their idolatry (Romans 1, 2).”

I can think of any number of other actions, activities, practices and beliefs, besides video games, books and TV shows that many in today’s culture hold sacred as rights and get offended at anyone who challenges them.

Mike you refer to Bunyan, perhaps his messages are too sharp for today’s culture.I have yet to hear any pastor preach on his small work on Jesus’ parable: T H E Barren Fig Tree; O R, The Doom and Downfall of the Fruitless Professor; 60 pages, 1688.

Which contains both a message of hope but also extreme warning.

“ From this brief pass through this parable, you have these two general observations:–First. That even then when the justice of God cries out, I cannot endure to wait on this barren professor any longer, then Jesus Christ intercedes for a little more patience, and a little more striving with this professor, if possible he may make him a fruitful professor. ‘Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it; and if it bear fruit, well,’ &c. Second. There are some professors whose day of grace will end with, Cut it down, with judgment; when Christ, by his means, hath been used for their salvation.

As you well describe we can only pray and hope that the Holy Spirit’s work in us produces this fruitful result. From my own actual fruit trees, I know there are good years and bad years and that a little “dung” can help. Perhaps the key word here is “None”.

Luke 13:6  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.

Perhaps more discussion of the 58 or so verses in the New Testament that refer to “fruit” would be a useful encouragement? Are fruit’s just actions, or attitudes, or is there a fruit of good “doctrine”, and how are they described? You might consider some posts on these if you have not already done so.

As for Bunyan here is the link.
https://acacia.pairsite.com/Acacia.John.Bunyan/Sermons.Allegories/Barren.Fig.Tree/1.html

Mike, as always you provide good food for thought.
As the WSC Q1 states it…

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

There is no better way to glorify God than to reflect back some of the radiance of Christ’s glory which shines on us.