Fruitbearing

by Robertson, A. B. | Category: General | Jun 1953

In Leviticus 19.28-25 we read that when trees were planted in the land the fruit of the first three years was to be counted as uncircumcised-it was not to be cut off, either for offering or eating. On the fourth year, however, "all the fruit thereof shall be holy, for giving praise unto the LORD."

In the fifth Year the fruit was to be eaten-" that it may yield unto you the increase thereof." Fruitbearing was the reason that trees were planted in the land at all, and each year's fruit had to be scrutinized, whether it was to be left uncut, as in the first three years, offered to the LORD as in the fourth year, or eaten as food in the fifth year. When a young believer is added to a church of God, it is that, like the trees planted in Canaan, he should bear fruit for praise unto the Lord and for sustenance. Disciples in the Fellowship are as trees planted in an ideal situation to bear fruit; planted in the position of God's choice we must seek to bring forth fruit to His satisfaction. Position without condition is a travesty of divine intention, and of no believers should so much be expected as of those in the churches of God. Disciples should be bearing fruit all the time-it is an indication of spiritual health.

Apart from the main teaching about the fig tree, the parable of Luke 13.. 6-9 shows a man examining the tree and saying, "Behold, these three years, I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground?" Here was a tree that produced no fruit in three years and therefore could give nothing to the owner's praise on the next year. It cumbered the ground and would have been cut down had not the vinedresser intervened and interceded that further opportunity might be granted to it.

It is disappointing to the Lord, and likewise to the saints, to see no signs of future usefulness in young disciples. In early years fruit is looked for, and the spiritual future of the young disciple may be assessed in such simple things as regular attendance at the meetings of the assembly, punctuality, an intelligent interest in what is going on, a comely tidiness, a respectful attitude to one's elders, a quiet prayerful bearing during meetings, self discipline and praise-worthy private lives. The young disciple who has scriptural problems to discuss is obviously reading his Bible. Nothing marks and grades so much as his reading, and meditating on, the Scriptures. These are fruits seen of all and are precursors of. the time when more fruit will be manifest for the praise of the Lord and the feeding of saints.

It is worth noting that God must receive of our fruit before we offer it to our fellows. Simple thanksgiving to God on a Lord's day morning and participation in the prayer meetings should precede public ministry of the word. Eventually every aspect of the life of the active disciple will be seen-the full-grown man in lively exercise of his mature spiritual energy. Each one bears fruit according to his growth. The believer who would please the Lord Jesus must learn His will and the psalmist in Psalm 119.9-16 speaks the mind natural to the sincere disciple. Let us take his words and sentiments they express for our vows :"I will meditate in Thy precepts,

And have respect unto Thy ways.

I will delight myself in Thy statutes:

I will not forget Thy word."

Then will our fruitbearing rejoice the heart of God.

Robertson, A. B. | Jun 1953
General