One More Chance

SCRIPTURE:
Luke 13:6-9 NLT - Then Jesus told this story: "A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, 'I've waited three years, and there hasn't been a single fig! Cut it down. It's just taking up space in the garden.' "The gardener answered, 'Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.'"

OBSERVATION:
Luke chapter 13 begins with a call to repentance and transformation. In this parable, Jesus warns about repentance without fruit and forgiveness without change. This idea isn't popular in some circles and is seen as 'legalistic' and 'harsh,' but in reality, it brings joy.

The Bible clearly teaches that joy comes with repentance.

Acts 3:19 NKJV - "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

Yet today, repentance is often viewed negatively or taught in a way that leads people to believe they must come to God in the right way — with their lives in order — to receive forgiveness. Jesus teaches us something different.

In the first five verses of this chapter, we see two different accounts of people who lost their lives:

• Galileans murdered in the temple – an act of violence and murder
• The tower of Siloam that fell on eighteen people – a natural cause

Although history doesn't provide specific details about these incidents, we can see them as examples showing that everyone has fallen short, sinned, and needs to be restored to God.

Jesus asked if one group was worse sinners than the other, or if one had sinned more. The answer was no. The point was that unless we repent—turn from our sins to Christ—we will all perish. God does not grade on a curve. He grades on complete righteousness—not ours, but Jesus’ imputed righteousness on us.

The phrase “unless you repent” is used twice. They have different meanings in the original Greek. The first relates to salvation, while the second pertains to ongoing repentance for our failures—our sins.

We must turn to Christ and have our sins forgiven. He was the propitiation—the perfect substitutionary sacrifice to cover our sins, past, present, and future. It was the ONLY thing acceptable to God. As we develop in our relationship, we must be aware of our shortcomings—our sin—and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us. There is both a “spiritual” and a “practical” form of repentance.

Jesus was warning the people not just to get their “fire insurance,” but to let God bring real change into their lives.
 
APPLICATION:
In this parable of the fig tree, we see that God is the God of second, third, and even fourth chances. Praise God for that!

However, with the “second” chance can also come the last chance. This means: don’t assume that because God has been patient, He will always be patient. That is where our joy fades, our walk lessens, and our lives become fruitless.

God is the one who knows our hearts, whether we have truly repented unto salvation. He is also seeking fruit and changed lives. Yes, He has done great and amazing things to save us. His grace is amazing! He goes the second mile, even the third, to see lasting change in us—just as described in this parable.

Luke 13:8-9 NLT - "The gardener answered, 'Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.'"

Sometimes, we must be “cut down”—though it doesn’t have to be like that. God is searching for fruit in our lives. Will He find it? Fruit that demonstrates we have changed—even slightly. Yes, He has saved us from the fires of hell, but He desires to give us much more than just “fire insurance.” He wants to give us the joy of a transformed life, a life that truly shows we are His children.
Today, don’t wait for the “one more” chance. Make that change in your life now—repent so that times of refreshing may come.

May He find fruit in our lives when He inspects them.
 
PRAYER:
Jesus, please transform me more and more into Your image. Take me from being just about “fire insurance” to truly having “life insurance.” Let me experience the joy of a changed life that’s visible in everything I do. Change me, shape me, and mold me more into Your image. Thank you for the “second chance.” In the areas of my life that need change, do what’s necessary to help me bear fruit.