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Works and Fruitfulness

Have you ever noticed Jesus invited the Pharisees to judge His works? Jesus had performed known miracles which created quite the following.  In John 10 the Jews asked Him to tell them plainly if He was the Messiah. Instead of responding to their request Jesus referenced His works.


I love this because Jesus understood all the types of proof people needed to accept Him. Feelers needed to encounter His love, the more intellectual types needed works, the sick needed healing, the lonely needed friendship, the demon possessed needed deliverance and on and on. He provided assurances of His deity to every aspect of human need and doubt. 


Jesus again referenced His works for the imprisoned John the Baptist.  He offered works as evidence of His supremacy but warned not to be offended by them. How can we be offended by the works of God? His works are not for our agendas but for His glory.


What of our works?


God calls us to be fruitful.  Fruitfulness is about identity, being connected to the source of life, and discipline. 


Jesus cursed the fig tree for not being fruitful. The fig is literally the identity of the tree. Debates rage in regard to whether or not figs were in season. Mark 11:13 clearly started, "it was not the season for figs." 


The first Psalm paints a picture of what it looks like to be connected to the true source of life. Psalm 1:3 promises to those who delight in the law of the Lord, "will be like a tree firmly planted and fed by the streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season; its leaf does not wither; and whatever he does, he prospers and comes to maturity." (AMP)


"Its season" and "comes to maturity" sounds like timing. So why did Jesus curse the fig tree for not being fruitful out of season?


Perhaps the answer lies in the beginning of both narratives. Both state, "He was hungry. "


How does your perspective change knowing Jesus' works are not for your purposes but to glorify God and that your fruitfulness is to satisfy Jesus? 


Jesus does not wish to judge our works but to be filled by our fruits. I don't know what that does to you but it melts perfectionism, comparison, and fear right off of me!


We still need to address the cursed fig tree. The promises of Psalm 1 are for those who delight in the law. We know Jesus did not come to abolish the law but is the fulfillment of the law. Yet Jesus birthed the age of Grace. We need God's precepts to be fruitful in season but His grace to be fruitful out of season. 


His law and His grace actively at work in our lives does wonders in and through us. For us to balance the opposing forces of the law and grace takes discipline. 


We need discipline to get up early so that we have enough time to not just read but delight in scripture.  We need discipline to supernaturally connect with grace when we perceive our unworthiness. 


Of identity, the law, grace, and discipline to what do you easily connect? Which connections are more challenging for you?


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