All Leaf. No Fruit.

The scenes we read in Matthew 21 show us that God wants to enjoy the fruit of our fellowship with Him. But it upsets Him when people pretend to be His people but bear no fruit for Him to enjoy and show no concern for Him, His representatives, or His Son.

Sadly, we see through Jesus’ teaching that fruitless phonies who pretend to be His people will eventually treat the people who do have a heart for Him poorly. And ultimately, they will treat Jesus with scorn.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. He offers forgiveness. And those who receive His forgiveness will forgive others. This is fruit that comes from fellowship with Him.

Is this a fruit you have in your life that God can enjoy? He can’t force His forgiveness upon you, but desires to enjoy this fruit that is cultivated in genuine fellowship with Him. You don’t need to impress Him (or anyone else). He didn’t come to make bad people good, but to give dead people life—real, full, and eternal spiritual life. Learn from the mistakes of the religious leaders. Don’t turn away and leave.

Follow Him.