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. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. Luke, Chapter 13, verses 6-9.
If a person stole from stores and then said to God, “I’m sorry I am not the Christian You want me to be; please forgive me,” but neglected to try to change anything, God would be patient with him up to a point. This passage makes me think that there comes a time when God says that He’s given enough chances for the person to change their actions and if they haven’t, then He cuts His losses.
Fortunately for us, God is very forgiving. If that person finally turns his life around to be the Christian that God wants; all will be forgiven. God doesn’t want us to put off our faith until the last minute.
Here are some related passages:
*And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew, Chapter 3, verse 10.
*Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew, Chapter 3, verse 12.
*Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew, Chapter 5:13.
*Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? And in Thy Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 16-23.
*But He answered and said, Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not plaed, shall be rooted up. Matthew, Chapter 15, verse 13.
Because this an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passages.
