Dear Jane:
I read all of your posts very carefully. I considered your points. I cannot give you an explanation but I can give you an illustration.
You may think what I am about to illustrate has NO BEARING on our recent "problems" but it has every thing to do with them.
The biblical story that comes to mind is the story of Christ cursing the fig tree. Christ had seen the fig tree at a distance. He approached it "happily" ( expectantly ) it was full of foilage; the tree was a vibrant tree. He wanted the tree to have fruit on it. He may have been hungry and wanted to be fed. Then in His disappointment, he cursed the tree; and Peter seeing this; it was the spring of the year; says Lord the tree is not in season ( DUH !! Lord don't you know figs are harvested in September ).
Not answering him, Christ goes on His way.
Two days later on the return trip, the tree is withered to the root .
Peter seeing this says. LORD LORD. The tree you cursed. LOOK LOOK it is withered to the root and dead.
Getting right to the point Christ says. Peter !! YOU MUSY HAVE FAITH. Believe that anything you ask the Heavenly father in my name He will give it you. (POWER OF ATTORNEY) Believe that if you ask Him to move this mountain ( the mountain they were standing on ) into the sea he will do it. LAST POINT +++++++ Then Christ says and if you have ought against your brother or sister then ask the Father forgive you...
And Christ walks away......Say What ?????
In the natural realm, this story cannot be explained. There cannot possibly be any connection between Christ cursing the fig tree and the explanation he gave to Peter two days later.
Are we to assume that Christ will dry us up to the root if we do not have fruit?
Are we to assume that Christ expects us to have fruit all year long, ( Instant in season and out of season ) or again we get withered to the root )?
Are we to assume that we must ask the Father in Christ name everything that we do ?
Are we to assume that if we have ought against our brother or sister we again get withered to the root?
Finally are we to assume that unless we move mountains we again get withered to the root?
The answers to the above questions are no,no,yes,no,no, in that order.
I don't feel that the point of the story is about sinners,. While the tree may represent an unsaved person, obviously an unsaved person does not have faith unto salvation, and while faith does not then operate in an unsaved persons life, you could make the argument that Christ was addressing the unsaved but he was teaching the lesson to Peter and the disciples. So the story is for us.
Fruit is the goal that every Christian should have for their life. Christ was not threatening reprisal for lack of fruit; all He was doing is teaching Peter how to have fruit.
We have fruit by our faith. We have fruit by asking and believing what we ask for. We have fruit by asking in the name of Christ. ( Power of Attorney ) We have a lot of fruit and God ( The Father ) is very pleased when we ask for bigger and bigger and bigger deeds and works and good things for Him to do, and can believe Him for bigger and bigger works and deeds. And last, because Christ knew one thing would bring the whole process to a grinding halt, He wanted to cover all the bases. So when we have ought just ask for forgiveness and He who is able to forgive us ALL our sins will be faithful and just and do just that. Just ask is enough. No crying , pleading, begging, posturing, fixed or dialated pupils, sweat pouring off your head, torn clothes, ashen faces necessary; just ask !!
So everything that happens in our lives we should constantly be asking ourselves is this going to make my tree barren or fruitful. I don't care if I personally look like the spring time lush, green,full of foilage fig tree ( and I don't) I just want to be full of fruit; and it has everything to do with how I manage my time , my prayer life, my resolve to be faithful, my resolve to not get caught up in interpersonal struggles ( not that I don't at times and not that I wouldn't like to most of the time ). Out of love for all of us here including myself, I am staying to the task.
In Christ name, I pray that Father you lead us into all truth. I pray the Father show us who you are, and the Christ show us who you are and the Holy Spirit reveal to us who you are as we are able to understand your great and mysterious ways. Keep us filled with an overflowing love as evidence that you exist in us. Fill us with a belief upon you; that causes demons to shiver in fear, and principalities and strongholds to be pulverized into dust that is breathed into the very nostrils of our enemies as a choking, acrid, ash.In Christ name we pray. Amen. |
