The words “Be fruitful,” appear in the Bible for the first time in Genesis 1:28. Although it came as a commandment, it can also be taken as a blessing. Because it is a commandment, God expects all His creation to comply with it by bearing fruit and multiplying through self-reproduction. On the other hand, if taken as a blessing, then it is established because when He speaks, it is done. His words cannot pass away unfulfilled. In John 15:8, Jesus said that the Father is glorified when we bear much fruit, and that by bearing much fruit, we demonstrate that we are His disciples indeed. Consequently, God reacts to fruitlessness the same way He reacts to rebellion, because failure to bear fruit is rebellion against the commandment and purpose of God.

“And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.” – Matthew 21:19

The fig tree in today’s Bible reading and the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 both show that God is expectantly looking out for us to bear fruit. They also reveal that God will judge our individual and corporate performance by the quantity and quality of fruit we bear. God is expecting us to bear fruit in the areas of soul-winning, holiness, righteousness, in love and also in our finances. It is time for a genuine personal assessment. For those who are bearing fruit, it is time to bear much more fruit. If you discover that you are not bearing fruit as expected, God is giving you a second chance. Be sure to make the best use of this second chance by bearing fruit in earnest. I pray that in the programme of God, you will not be cut down or replaced in the mighty Name of Jesus. You will surely fulfil your destiny in Jesus’ Name.

To be fruitful requires being genuinely born-again and abiding in God. Confessing your sins and giving your life to Jesus ensures your deliverance and transition from the side of the devil to the kingdom of God. Abiding in God means total submission to the will of God and putting your trust in Him. This guarantees fruitfulness. As you do your very best to abide in God, He will give you the grace to bear much fruit to the glory of His Name.

Pastor E.A. Adeboye