Many Christians believe in God’s grace that freely justified them and made right with God. How many of them know that His grace comes with an expiry that varies from people to people?

James Tissot (French, 1836-1902),  The Vine Dresser and the Fig Tree 

Luke 13:6-7 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground? 

There are some strange things in the parable that are contrary to the law.

Deut 22:9 “You shall not sow your vineyard with different kinds of seed, lest the yield of the seed which you have sown and the fruit of your vineyard be defiled.

Lev 19:23 ‘When you come into the land, and have planted all kinds of trees for food, then you shall count their fruit as uncircumcised. Three years it shall be as uncircumcised to you. It shall not be eaten.

• Fig tree must not be planted in vineyard
• Fruits must not be eaten for 3 years.

Isa 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.

God the Father is the owner of the vineyard (house of Israel) and we (the gentiles) are the fig tree planted in His vineyard. The keeper of His vineyard is His Son, Jesus Christ. The Father had been looking into our lives for so long seeking fruit but not able to find any. The Father being angry with us, decided to destroy us.

Luke 13:8-9 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.

But our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ mediated with His Father to hold the punishment temporarily and provided a grace period which we do not deserve. During this grace period, Christ does His best in giving every opportunity for us to bear fruits. He nourishes them and provide all their needs hoping they will bear fruits. If they didn’t bear fruits, they will be destroyed when the grace of God expires.

Conclusion

Your boasting on Christ’s righteousness and rejecting the requirement of fruits which God expects in your life as works and continue to be fruitless is not going to save you on the day when God’s grace expires for you. It is your righteousness and your fruits which you bear for God the Father by doing His will is going to save you.