Leaves of an Empty Profession

Show me your faith without works (fruit), and I will show you my faith by my works (fruit). James 2:17 Befitting fruit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Ephesians 5:9 it is presenting your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, not conforming to this world, but by being transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you might prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1, 2
In the book of Mark the 11th chapter we find an example of what not to be. On the night before Jesus brought judgment to the spiritual leaders running the temple, he saw how the religious establishment of that day had become no more than a shadow of what used to be the reality of a life with God, but was now devoid of power. It had become barren and without fruit, much like many of our churches today and like the object of our lesson today. The fig tree that Jesus saw from afar off while on his way the next morning to the temple had much the same appearance. It was fully clothed in the splendor (meaning great brightness of luster; magnificence, pomp) and ceremony of it's leaves. From a distance, it held great promise because a fig tree produces fruit before it's leaves. Though the time of figs was not yet, it held promise like some of our newer saints, producing fruit before their time. By cultivating, digging into the word of God along with much sincere fervent prayer and seeking God for his understanding will we hasten our knowledge and understanding of God's ways? As the saying goes, "You will get out of it what you put into it." This is why we see new converts come into the church and some of them seem to excel in knowledge and understanding and I might add to the chagrin of some. I remember making a comment to one of the older saints that one of our new converts seemed to be learning fast and she said, "Well you gotta remember he's a new saint full of fire right now." I said to myself hum, I guess that means he is supposed to stop after he's been in the church awhile? I can tell you in all sincerity that you will never master the word of God, ever! Just when you think your getting a handle on a subject, you will soon learn there is so much more to learn about it than you ever imagined. It doesn't matter what it is, you will never totally know all there is to know about it.
On the other hand we have folks like some of the figs on the fig tree, big green robust looking figs that remain hardened while much of the tree is producing fruit fit for consumption though not as big in stature and size. One characteristic of some of these folk is they are like the blue jays that come to the fig tree (church) to dine. They come to the fig tree (church) and unlike the redbirds, hummingbirds, mockingbirds, and woodpeckers, you can hear him/her coming from afar off. Once there, instead of going about to eat and enjoy the fruit like the other birds, he just gripes and complains about everything, even while eating or at least that is how it sounds anyway. It seems as though he is never satisfied, never at peace with him/herself. Like some folk, ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, because you see in the Holy Ghost there is peace, joy, contentment, and happiness. The woodpecker, one would never know he was there unless he was banging his head, but let that blue jay come around fussing and the woodpecker starts making noise. I reckon the best thing that can be said for him (woodpecker) is that he is like a lot of our youth, done a little too much head banging. One thing I have noticed about the fig tree is that finding fruit can be difficult because of such a heavy covering of leaves in parts of the tree. Poor Adam and Eve, they found out that sin doesn't pay; they learned pretty quick it pays to get rid of your sin because all they had was fig leaves to cover their nakedness, all the other tree's leaves had fallen. That alone would seem to be punishment enough! When you are able to expose some fruit, then you have to worry about being punished for it because those leaves will sting and itch you something terrible not to mention the wasp and spiders that seem to consider the fig tree home. While trying to get to the fruit I found myself in a situation comparable to that ol' boy that got trapped in a tree with a mad momma coon. He shouted down to them shoot, shoot one of us has got to have some relief. I learned that if the whole tree (church) is soaked (Holy Ghost) not only will the fruit manifest itself, but the leaves (other folk) will lose much of their abrasiveness. For every situation there is always a better way to get things accomplished. This is where prayer with patience becomes critical. In the process do not lean on your own understanding but rather lean on the Lord trusting him with all your heart and soul. Well, enough meddling, back to the lesson!
The scripture says it like this; and on the next day when they were come from Bethany, he (Jesus) was hungry. And seeing a fig tree from afar off, having leaves, he came, if perhaps he might find anything on it; and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever. And his disciples heard it. Some may ask, "Do you think he knew it wasn't the time for figs?" The answer to this is yes. In Luke 21:29, 30 he gives the parable of the fig tree in which he tells you when the time of figs is right. Also, we find in John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16 that he (Jesus) created the fig tree so he does know when the time of figs is right. Jesus used this fig tree as an object lesson for his disciples and for us today. God expects vineyard fruit from those that have been given vineyard privileges, not leaves only. (Good showing) As Mark 11:12 points out he was hungry for fruit. A bare profession, though ever so green, will not serve. There must be more than buds and blossoms. There must be fruit! A good heart, good life, good thoughts and affections, words and actions that are agreeable to the Spirit of God is what makes fat the vineyard Galatians 5:22, 23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law, one that is answerable to the ordinances (due order or process of God), which are the dressings of the vineyard.
On the morrow the religious establishment of that day saw their normal routine daily church happenings come to an abrupt halt. It goes like this, And they (Jesus and disciples) come to Jerusalem; and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out those that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of those that sold doves; In John 2:17 we find how that the zeal of God's house would consume Jesus and it surely did. I can see him now popping that whip, kapow! Heads ducking, animals and people running everywhere. Now the moneychangers (priest) are those that would change your money for temple coinage because that was the only acceptable payment. They were supposedly providing them a service, when in reality temple coinage held more buying power, just another way to exact usury (charge interest) in a legal sense is what they were doing. Oh yes, and then you had those (priests) who would sell you animals for sacrifice, not perfect (without spot or blemish) as in olden times mind you, but what they had decided was good enough. This is a perfect example of hypocrisy in the church. Have you ever noticed that some of the biggest churches in any town you go are where you find most of the business and professional leaders of the community? One is impressed to see so many of them in church until you listen to their conversations. They actually use the church to conduct business. One said once, "I would rather do business in God's house than anywhere else because I know he will appreciate being a part of my business. What ignorance!! How carnal!! Jesus said, Mark 11:17 "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves." This is not to imply that all business and professional people do this, but you do find it happening a lot. This is what by definition (as concerning the temple) cleansing means, ridding God's house of ceremonial defilement.
In Nehemiah the 5th chapter we find this same corrupt greed taking place, only this time some of the people of God were still trickling in from Babylon. They desired to possess their portion also, but found the land had been gobbled up. These landlords if you will would let them stay if they would sell their children into bondage and if they gave a portion of their crops to them. You'd think after 400 years of Egyptian bondage and the bondage of Babylon it would at least be on their mind a little while. What we see in some of our churches today should serve to remind us of those Jews in the close to Joshua's day, Joshua 24 And I have given you a land which you did not labor, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and olive yards which ye planted not do ye eat. Some of us refuse to even call each other brother because we don't meet a certain criteria. What about Paul? They called him brother Saul Acts 9:17 before he had become filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus name. Freely you have received, freely give. Like those Jews, it's amazing how we tend to forget! In other words, they were charging them a price for something they had gotten free. Sound familiar, it ought to because some of us do the same thing. We have a truth seeker come to church hungry for the word of God and what do we do, we sit there arms crossed, stone faced, couldn't be budged with a jackhammer. Instead of yielding ourselves (not quenching) to the moving of the Spirit of God we charge these poor desolate souls a price for something we got free. Freely ye have received, freely give. Nehemiah had finally gotten a belly full of this and called for all the elders and took his cloak and shook it at them and said, "So may God shake everyone of you if you don't leave off this usury." (Charging interest)The difference in them and us is they did in the natural (flesh) what we do in the Spirit.
Now that you have seen the examples of what not to do and there will be more to follow, we need to take a look at things that accompany salvation. To start with, anyone chosen of God is ordained to go and bring forth fruit. I might add here that contrary to the popular teaching of accepting Christ as your personal savior as if it is entirely your choice, is fallacy. In John15:16 we find where the Lord sets the record straight, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; (meaning to continue to abide in Christ) that whatever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. Also in John 6:44 Jesus said, "No man can come to me, except the Father (Spirit) which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. What does it mean to bear fruit and what happens when we do bear fruit or when we don't bear fruit? These are the questions in this lesson I will deal with using the above biblical examples to illustrate the text for better understanding.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Bearing befitting (meaning suitable, appropriate, proper, decent) fruit is the resulting effect of the first paragraph in this study.
Steps to a happy walk with God but not necessarily in this order


Joy(constant delight in God)

Goodness (kindness, beneficence)

Gentleness(sweetness of temper)

Love(to love God and one another)

Meekness (self-control; not easily provoked)

Peace (contentment and peace with God and others)

Temperance (not excessive in use of life's enjoyments)

Faith (fidelity, justice, honesty in what we profess and promise to others)

Long-suffering (patience to defer anger and a contentedness to bear injuries)

There are three conditions that lead to a fruitful life.

I
CLEANSING

Cleansing is being washed by the blood of Jesus Christ through repentance and water baptism, for without being cleansed by the Lord one has no part with him. John 13:8 Cleansing is the purging or putting away of your sins or to be free of guilt; to be delivered from moral or ceremonial defilement which is going through the motions but not bearing any fruit. John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. After sincere repentence the Lord chose water baptism as the way to wash away our sins for the new person in Christ. This is the reason water baptism is so important to salvation. While it is true that baptism in and of itself won't save one, it is nonetheless an essential part of God's plan of salvation. John 3:5 & Acts 2:37,38
What about the established Christian, how does God keep them? Part of the plan for sustaining a continually successful Christian life is to learn to accept the sovereign God's chastening, after all in the end it is He who makes the decision as to our worthiness to enter the kingdom of heaven. God chose chastening (to correct by punishment or suffering) as a way for one to be renewed. The renewing of your mind is done by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus 3:5 In Ephesians 4:22,23 Paul said, “that ye put off concerning the former manner of life the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. This includes being renewed in knowledge previously obtained. How oft should we be renewed? The Apostle Paul said this should occur 2 Corinthians 4:16 day by day. By being renewed on a daily basis can we steadfastly be bearers of befitting fruit for the kingdom of God and his righteousness. And finally, The Lord uses chastening to purge us of our sins, witness Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of host: the whole earth is full of His glory. Can you imagine the goings on around the throne with all the praise being offered up. Even more than that, can we imagine what would happen if we, the people of God could face one another as these seraphim’s, and say to each other in an humble and contrite spirit of praise, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God almighty!" Could it be that we would see and experience what the Apostle Paul was talking about in I Corinthians 2:9 here and now and not in the hereafter as this scripture is widely taught. He said, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, "Here am I, send me." Isaiah wasn't given this incredible revelation of angelic activity simply to comfort him after the death of a leprous king. Nor is the sixth chapter of Isaiah merely a record of his call to the ministry of prophet, he has already prophesied for five chapters. God's purpose for allowing Isaiah to enter into this vision of His throne was to impart to Isaiah and to us His ultimate desire-- to fill the earth with his glory! We must ask God to do for us what we cannot do ourselves: make us clean, righteous vessels for his service. Hebrews 12:6-11 For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourageth every son whom he receiveth and if ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them who are exercised by it. Those that are able to endure chastening will be as Paul described in Romans 8:23 we ourselves groan within waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of our body, because the chastening process establishes in us a discipline that we may grow in wisdom and love and grace in the knowledge of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. The chastening process is why the apostle Peter could make the statement found in I Peter 4:16 "If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf and the apostle Paul in Phillipians 2:17 Yea, and If I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. These men were constantly subjected to the purging process and as a result they grew in grace, love, and knowledge of the Lord. Some of us see through the glass mentioned in I Corinthians13:12 much better than others because we have allowed the purging process to have its way in our lives. It brings one to the point to where he/she realizes pleasing God with the eternal reward in the end is really what matters. The apostle Paul's attitude was this I Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable. God knows the carnal nature of man is at enmity with his Spirit Romans 8:7 so chastening is a necessary element in how he keeps us. Paul said inGalatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. It is much better that the Father of spirits chasten us, than the fathers of our flesh who chasten for a few days after their own pleasure, but he (God) for our profit that we might be partakers of his holiness. The Lord cannot be glorified in us unless we bear fruit.

II
FAITH

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. What does it profit, my brethren, though a man says he hath faith, and have not works (bear any fruit)? Can faith save him? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yes, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works; show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show you my faith by my works (by the fruit I bear). In other words not in word only but in deed, be doers of the word. James 1:22, 25 Put some legs on that faith! Know this O vain man, faith without works (bearing the fruit of the Spirit) is dead. James 2:14, 17, 18, 19 Contrary to some teaching which says that the apostle Paul and James contradict each other concerning faith and works, they do not contradict each other. Paul is saying in Ephesians 2:8-10 you cannot earn or buy your way into heaven. See Matthew 7:22, 23 and Acts 8:18,19. It is given by the grace of God. Also, in Romans 4:1-5,Hebrews 11:17 we have the example of Abraham in which we learn that faith without works or vice versa is meaningless. First, he believed God and because of it, works (or fruit of his belief) followed and because of his belief in God he was willing to offer his beloved son in sacrifice to God. These verses of scripture prove that you cannot be considered a believer without faith and the works (or bearing fruit) that follows. One of the main points the apostle Paul was making is steer clear of the thinking that your works are to be recognized. He didn't want one to allow pride to creep in because pride is the enemy of faith and would destroy their power in prayer. In other words thinking, "man I am something, look at all the great things I have done for the kingdom of God." Paul was thrilled that the Lord had chosen him in the first place. He like Peter knew that without the Lord he could do nothing, St John 15:4, 5 so all glorying was to be to God for making their works possible for them to do. They knew as I Peter 1:24 says, For all flesh is like grass, and all the glory of man like the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and its flower falleth away. We might as well face it, we are only good from one day to the next. That is why Paul said we have to be renewed day by day in the Holy Ghost. Titus 3:5, Ephesians 4:3, Colossians 3:5, II Corinthians 4:16
If one manifest the fruits of the Spirit it is because they have faith through a secure knowledge and trust of God. You are not considered faithful unless you bear fruit, for to remain faithful means to remain (abide) and bear fruit. Knowledge is essential because without it there would be no faith. Knowledge is spoken often as an equivalent to faith. John 10:38 & I John 2:3Can a new person in Christ be expected to immediately bear fruit? Isn't it necessary that he first be taught or given knowledge? You cannot have remaining (abiding) faith without knowledge of what or who that faith is in. Faith implies belief, trust, and loyalty to God. Faith is where it begins and where it ends!

III
FORGIVENESS

Mark 11:25, 26__And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have anything against any, that you’re Father also, who is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father, who is in heaven, forgive your trespasses. Unforgiveness is based in pride and is the enemy of faith, therefore creating a separation between man and God.
Unforgiveness- Psalms10:2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor and Matthew 18:32, 33 the Lord said to a man, "O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me. Shouldest not thou also have compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee. In this case "forgiveness." So in brief, unforgiveness is based in pride, and pride is the enemy of faith which in turn will block your power in prayer.
Enemy of Faith Psalms 10:4 The wicked in his pride will not seek after the Lord and Proverbs 16:8 pride goeth before destruction and a haughty (blatantly and disdainfully proud) spirit before a fall. Although in reality you could argue there are more than three conditions that lead to a fruitful life, all are intertwined in these three, for without these three none of the above mentioned fruits of the Spirit would be attainable.
Jesus said, “For without me you can do nothing for I am the true vine and you are the branches; the branches cannot bear fruit of themselves, except it abide(remain) in the vine. John 15:4,5

At this point it is easy for you to see that he did to the temple what he did to the fig tree. But there is another area that we as individuals have to consider, the question of what is more important ceremony or a communal relationship with God. Consider what Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees, Matthew 23:27,28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like whited sepulchers, (only for show) which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. They were self-righteous hypocrites like the Pharisee in Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortionist, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. In the fourteenth verse Jesus said in response to this kind of praying, "everyone that exhalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. There is only one way we will ever get the ear of God and that is with a contrite and humble spirit. In Isaiah 57 we find where the Lord rebuked the false leaders because they too had lifted themselves up and became stumbling blocks to the truth seekers. After the Lord rebuked them he let it be known to whom he would revive. Found in the 15th verse it says, for thus saith the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Beloved take heed unto yourselves that you do not become a stumblingblock to the weak. As Paul says in Romans the eighth chapter, for if any man see thee, who hast knowledge, sitting at the table in the idols temple, shall not the conscience, of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols. Also, he said in Romans 5:18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgement came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. In other words because of Adam's sin many were made sinners, but because of the righteousness of Jesus who had no sin, we are now able to be partaker's of the heavenly gift. Living a life in Christ will win many to him, but to partake of sinful deeds will condemn those around you (those who follow you) to a life of sin. This part of the lesson is like the old saying "monkey see monkey do," Don't not allow yourselves to be given to situations that invite sin because it not only will hurt you, but those that follow you also.
Finally, learn from the parable of the vinedresser in Luke 13:6. This could be considered a lesson in procrastination. (Putting off) The story relates how that for three years the Lord had come by this vineyard and found no fruit. (Fig tree) He told the vinedresser to cut it down, why take up valuable space. And the vinedresser answered him and said, "Lord let it alone this year and I will dig about it and fertilize it." This message also has a lot to offer the shepherd of the sheep. Many times we all put off things, but the work of God is one of those we mustn't procrastinate about because we could end up like this fig tree or like the one spoken of in Revelation 6:13. And the fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. (Trials, tribulations and Luke 21:34) Untimely means an occurrence or happening at an inconvenient or inopportune time. Opportunity doesn't wait for everyone! We will be judged by the opportunities we have been given, so don't let a storm or the Lord's coming force the casting forth of untimely figs. Prepare yourselves, arm with the loving Spirit of God, pray fervently, and study God’s word seeking his understanding. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.
If we are not careful, our liberties will become a snare unto us, and we become as the barren fig tree, all splendor and ceremony. Matthew 6:19, 20 Take heed unto yourselves, lest at anytime your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (overindulgence in something food or drink) and drunkenness (to excite or stupefy to the point where physical and mental control is markedly diminished; to excite or elate to the point of enthusiasm or frenzy). This can be other things than alcohol such as fishing, golfing or anything that takes you away from or puts you to sleep from the things of God) and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Matthew 24:43For if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Watch ye therefore and pray always, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man because to not ready is to be considered an evil servant who says in his heart, "My Lord delayeth his coming." Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh. God is not at all interested in splendor and ceremony but rather he desires a communal relationship with us. When he sent the disciples out to preach the gospel, he didn't say go build magnificent temples unto me. That is why he came and died for us, so we could receive his Spirit and we ourselves become the temple of God. II Corinthians 6:16 for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
A true Christian will produce fruit and will remain (abide) in Christ even when things seem bad. The true Christian will live a dynamic life, never satisfied with his/her place in the kingdom because there is a fire that burns from deep within. He/she loves Jesus with all their heart and because of this; they will have a burden for lost souls. Beloved, don't ever think that it is more important to make a good showing than to have a personal one on one relationship with the God of heaven. God bless you is my prayer.