Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.  Jesus answered,  “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?  I tell you, no!  But unless you repent, you too will all perish.  Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them-do you think they were more guilty than the others living in Jerusalem?  I tell you, no!  But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

Then he told this parable.  “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, “For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any.  Cut it down!  Why should it use up the soil?”

“Sir,”  the man replied, “leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.  If it bears fruit next year, fine!  If not, then I’ll cut it down.”                Luke 13:1-8  NIV

Have you ever been in a situation where an opportunity came along and you felt that it was now or never?  Maybe it was that special someone that had come along.  Maybe it was that job that you had been dreaming of.  But there are definitely times when opportunities come along that we don’t want to let pass us by.

I can certainly identify with that fig tree.  For many years in my life I was fruitful. I tried to live a life that was pleasing to God.  But then I sinned and I allowed that sin to drive this wedge between me and God.  I still loved Him and I still went to church and prayed and occasionally even read my Bible, but I wasn’t fruitful anymore.  I was just warming a pew a couple Sundays a month.  I was just using up space in church, much like that fig tree was using the soil.  It took some time, but I finally realized that I had been much happier and had much more peace in my life when I was fruitful.  I was much happier before I had allowed this sin to take over my life and place a barrier between me and God.

I prayed to God.  I needed this barrier removed.  I needed His help in removing this sin from my life.  I am so glad that I did.  Once this happened, I was able to grow in His love.  I was able to thrive and be fruitful.  I had been like a plant withering without water in the hot sun, but now I was bursting forth with new growth!  I was fruitful again.  But what if God had called me home while I was wallowing in sin?  I shudder to think where I would have spent eternity.

In the beginning of the scripture passage Jesus talks about Galileans that have died in tragic circumstances.  He tells those around Him, not once but twice, “repent or you too will all perish.”  This same message applies to each and every one of us here today.

No one knows when we will be called up to our heavenly home.  But the Bible is very clear about this.  If your name is not written in the Lamb’s book of Life, you will not get in (Exodus 32:33, Psalm 69:28, Malachi 3:16, Luke 10:20, Philippians 4:3, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 20:15, Revelation 21:27) We’ve all seen those movies or shows where the bouncer is at the exclusive club with clipboard in hand.  He allows those on “the list” to come in, but those who are not on that list are turned away.  We definitely don’t want to be turned away at the gates of heaven.  We need to be sure that our names are in that book!  The Bible tells us that those who are not in the Lamb’s book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire, or hell.

If you have sin in your life, for which you have yet to repent, know this.  This sin will weigh you down.  This sin will destroy you.  This sin will kill you and damn you to hell eternally.  I beg of you today, just as Jesus did all those years ago, to repent.  Turn to God.  Confess your sin to Him, tell Him that you are sorry for these sins and truly mean it.  Ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit to help you not to continue to sin.  Ask Him to remove this sin from you.  Trust in Him to take care of you.  Trust in Him to guide you in the way that you should go.  What are you waiting for? Do it now before it’s too late.  Experience the peace, comfort and joy that can only come from having this close relationship with your Lord and Savior.  You won’t regret it.

Have a great day!