On the last
evening of the year we spoke about Sylvester. Rome
was a heathen city and did all manner of evil and filth on the last day of the year. It was a day of liberty and everyone did whatever
came to their minds. A bishop Sylvester
decided to celebrate the New Year with a service and around God’s word and that is
why the service on the last day of the year is called Sylvester after this bishop. Psalm 139 v 23 says “Search me oh God
…” We need to start the new year
having made right with God and man.
In Luke 13 v 6-9 we read
about the fig-tree that was planted. The
fig-tree and the fruit it bears refers to every person. God
planted each person and if you are a child of God, you are an heir in that family. You inherit the divine blood from heaven and have
more riches than any prince could wish for. It
is the new year. Are you bearing good fruit? The owner rejoices when he finds good fruit on the
trees he has planted.
Some trees only bear fruit in the third year but
some small trees are full of fruit. Is God
happy with the fruit you are bearing? This
fig-tree, however, bore no fruit and it was said that it should be chopped down. The owner was heart-broken. He had much patience and wanted the tree to be left
for another year. In your life, God expects
the fruit of the Spirit but instead, it could be that He finds anger, resentment, lack of
forgiveness and immorality. He then asks that
tree is not chopped down but is given another chance.
The owner then digs around a
tree. That could mean that he chops a root and
it is painful or that he uses pruning shears. There
are things that will hurt you in this process. He
uses fertilizer which doesn’t smell good. There
will be difficulties but God is busy. You
blame circumstances. You say you are poor but
if you fold your hands, you will die a beggar. You
cannot play with God. You will regret it if
you are stiff-necked. After death comes the
judgment and you might end up hearing the words “Depart from me, you who are wicked.” The Lord Jesus gives everyone another year. If you reject it, you deserve a kick. Make the best of it. |
