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Lessons from the Barren Fig Tree, June 23
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.
Matthew 3:8
.
I feel an earnest interest that those who have been creating dissension and
strife shall be convicted of their wrong, and shall repent and be converted. Tell
this to the people: “Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the
light, lest darkness come upon you” (
John 12:35
). Because the time is short we
need to follow diligently the King’s business.
Two nights ago in visions of the night, I seemed to be addressing a company
of our people.... I was saying: “I have a message for those who have been working
to destroy the influence of the messages that the Lord has been giving to His
servants. There are some who for years have been spreading their roots far, but
their fruit-bearing for Christ is represented by the barren fig tree.” ...
The lesson of the barren fig tree is one that we should keep continually before
us. It is not profession of righteousness that will meet the needs of the world today
and fulfill the will of God for the human family. God is looking for fruit-bearing
branches. “Feed My sheep with pure provender” is the Lord’s command to those
who stand as teachers of the gospel of salvation. He has made provision that the
gospel’s saving power shall be represented in all places.
I was shown that mistakes have been made that have left wrong impressions
upon minds, because men were allowed to preside over important interests who
were deficient of the saving grace of the gospel, who had not made its purity
and simplicity a part of their lives, and who did not seek God often in humble,
earnest prayer. Righteous, self-denying works were not considered by them to be
a necessary part of Christian experience. They did not see the necessity of having
the spirit of Christ and of emulating His example in their work of ministry. I heard
words of warning and entreaty spoken to young men, imploring them to make a
full surrender and to obtain a thorough conversion. Ministers were exhorted to
make decided changes.
The Saviour was presented to me as standing before the congregation, and
addressing those who had stood to discourage and hinder others. The words were
spoken, “Break every yoke. You are years behind where you should be in the
carrying out of the plan of redemption. Let each seek his orders from the One in
whom dwelleth truth and righteousness. Let all come into right relation to God,
making thorough work of repentance.”
Let us press our case to the throne of grace.... I pray that thorough conversions
may now be experienced.—
Letter 202, June 23, 1908
, to S. N. Haskell, president
of the California Conference.
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