A call to repentance—God is patient, but His patience does not abide forever.

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’“ (Luke 13:6-9 ESV)

This parable is an illustration of God’s patience toward the unrepentant, but also a warning that God’s patience does not abide forever. A day of judgement is coming. We must “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). God has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed, and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead. Do you presume on the riches of God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4, paraphrased) Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:10 ESV)

The Lord is not slow to fulfil His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought we to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn?! But according to His promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, those of us who are eagerly awaiting these things and the appearance of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, must be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish and at peace. Counting the patience of the Lord as salvation. There are some things in the scriptures that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction. Take care that you are not carried away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:9-18, paraphrased)

a reply to: TheGoodNews

Who knows what this means?

originally posted by: ByeByeAmericanPie
a reply to: TheGoodNews

Who knows what this means?

Most fig trees will start producing fruit within 2–3 years of planting, but some varieties can take up to 5 years. The exact time it takes for a fig tree to fruit depends on the variety and the climate.

In that regard, perhaps the meaning of the parable is different than what has been assumed? The gardener knew his stuff, but the owner didn't.

In a symbolic case, the early years of Jesus ministry did not get a 'harvest' of fruitful converts, but very soon afterward, after Jesus Crucifixion, the Church sprung up and grew very rapidly, filling the whole world.

I believe that God does not want a single person to be lost, but, that being said, there are nonetheless those who will never repent, and who permanently place themselves outside of God's free gift of grace, of forgiveness from our transgressions.

In this, God has granted us eternity. The unreachable is now easily acquired. But we have to reach out for it, and with a desire to walk a new way, henceforth.

Since we don't know when our last living moment will be, it is best that we make our peace with God sooner, rather than too late.

God is not chasing after you with a big stick of judgement. God is inviting you with open arms.

I've always been sort of on the fence about Fig Newtons. I like them, but I've never had a craving for them ya know? Haven't had any in many long years, and can't say I have missed anything there.

I think I like the fig part, but the overly doughyness of the cookie part is a bit off putting.

Perhaps I'll try some figgy pudding this Christmas, give figs another chance.

a reply to: caterpillage

Speaking of Fig Newtons...I've always wondered where people get the figs ('cajones') to interpret what God wants and doesn't want. Doesn't that seem a bit presumptuous? "Here, I can speak for God, and what God really meant is..."

I've always felt like a lightning bolt should shoot out of the heavens and vaporize anyone who attempts to speak on behalf of the almighty creator. How could anyone ever be so bold as to interpret that which created man and earth? For all mankind knows, God could be looking for some cheap entertainment in mankind's trivial wars and destruction. Perhaps God is bored, who knows, but one thing is certain; mankind is but a fool to speak on God's behalf.

All of this talk brings up the subject of organized religion. For thousands of years organized religion has sought to "worship" God...at a cost...to all who wish to participate. 'Pay to play' It's not about faith; it's about money, but God could care less about money. Money is something created by mankind. Why would God care about money? God has the riches of all eternity and everything in it, what is a few shillings of meaningless fiat? Nothing. Only churches, and those who run, them care about money...for their own benefit, despite their claims to the contrary.

"Oh, but wait, you unwashed filthy masses; you don't understand. OUR way is the RIGHT way..." said the Christians, said the Jews, said the Muslims, and so many others. ""For the unbelievably low price of ten percent of your annual wages, your tithe, erm tax, erm 'charitable donation', will cleanse you of all your sins...but only if you act right now! This is a limited time offer, so call now! Pay your money, and we will erect monuments to that which you worship (all while holding a nice fat percentage back for our own personal wealth...suckah's! Ahem.). Can I get a hallelujah? Amen!!"

And then someone comes along and says they know where the line in the sand is for God's patience. Really? What gives them the authority, the audacity, to claim such a thing? "Shame be upon you, because I know what God wishes, and you have deviated from these wishes. Change your ways, or else, God has told me personally, that you will fall from favor in the eyes of the creator!" Are we starting a new church? Who do I make the check out to? What's the 1-800 number to call?

Damn fig newtons!

/extreme sarcasm

a reply to: caterpillage

The awesome thing about fig tree branches is they can spread out really far, because roots descend from the branches, and dig into the ground for extra support.

Maybe like this…

Behold! Are you Hungred or Hungwhite from the giant fig tree in the sky?