This kept
Demas from the fruit of self-denial. And this kept Ananias and
Sapphira his wife from the goodly fruit of sincerity and truth. I
John, 2:15, 16; John 12: 6; 2 Tim. 4:10; Acts 5: 5-10; I Tim. 6: 9,
10.
"And if it bear fruit, well." And if the outlay of all my labor doth
make this fig-tree fruitful, I shall count my time, my labor, and
means, well bestowed upon it; and thou also, O my God, shalt be
therewith much delighted; for thou art gracious and merciful, and
repentest thee of the evil which thou threatenest to bring upon a
people.
These words therefore inform us, that if a barren figtree, a barren
professor, shall now at last bring forth fruit to God, it shall go
well with that professor, it shall go well with that poor soul. His
former barrenness, his former tempting of God, his abuse of God's
patience and long-suffering, his misspending year after year, shall
now be all forgiven him. Yea, God the Father and our Lord Jesus
Christ will now pass by and forget all, and say, "Well done," at the
last.
"And if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down." There is
nothing more exasperating to the mind of a man, than to find all his
kindness and favor slighted; neither is the Lord Jesus so provoked
with any thing, as when sinners abuse his means of grace.
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