Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ¹⁴  He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!”  And His disciples were listening.”  Mark 11:12-14.  (Parenthetical identification of “He” is mine.)

The concern and condemnation is not limited to the fig tree, but more importantly, it is a teaching and revelation as to what can happen to people who do not produce fruit.  I am reminded of two Scriptures, one of which applies to individuals, and one of which applied to a nation.

First, in regards to the Scripture that applies to individuals, Matthew 7:19 states:  “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Second, in regards to the Scripture that applied to a nation, the nation of Israel, as distinguished from (and not including) the elect Jews within the nation of Israel,  ^““Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit.”  Matthew 21:43.

^“What shall we say then?  That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith;   but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.  Why?  Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works.   They stumbled over the stumbling stone,  just as it is written, “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”  Romans 9:31-33.

If good fruit is not obtained by works, then how is it obtained? 

It is obtained through the Spirit which must dwell within us in order for us to bear good fruit.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22.     

How then do we obtain the Spirit? 

We must saved by God through faith and be Christians.  “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.  If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:9-11. 

Does the Spirit lead us to do any good works or just show good attitudes (love, joy, peace etc.) mentioned in Galatians 5:22?

The fruit are not just attitudes, but the fruit are also actions.  Through the fruit, we serve one another and do those good works.  “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.  …  For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”  Galatians 5:6, 13, and 14.