Three keys to a Fruitful Life

There's a striking image in Scripture of Jesus approaching a fig tree, expecting to find fruit. The tree was full of leaves—it looked healthy, vibrant, alive. But when Jesus searched for fruit, He found none. What happened next is telling: He cursed the tree.

This moment captures something profound about God's heart for His people. He doesn't want us to merely look religious. He doesn't want us to simply go through the motions, attending services, speaking the right words, appearing spiritual on the outside. He wants us to bear actual fruit—real, tangible evidence of His transforming work in our lives.

But here's the beautiful truth: while we don't manufacture fruit through our own effort, there are conditions we can create in our hearts that allow fruit to flourish. Think of it like a vineyard owner who provides everything needed—the soil, the fence, the winepress, the protection. The vine doesn't strain to produce grapes; it simply needs to remain connected to the source and receive what's provided.

So what creates the environment for spiritual fruitfulness? Three essential elements emerge from Jesus' teaching: a willing heart, a submitted spirit, and a receptive life.

A Willing Heart

Jesus told a parable about two sons. A father asked both to work in his vineyard. The first son flatly refused—"I will not"—but later changed his mind and went. The second son eagerly agreed—"I go, sir"—but never showed up.

Which son did the father's will?

Obviously, the first one. But here's where the story gets uncomfortable. Jesus was speaking to the religious elite of His day, and they represented the second son. They claimed allegiance to God. They said all the right things. They looked the part. But when it came to actually doing what God asked, they refused.

What was God asking? Repentance. A turning away from self-righteousness and turning toward Him. The tax collectors and prostitutes—society's outcasts—were entering God's kingdom ahead of the religious leaders because they were willing to do what God asked.

For those of us who follow Christ, the question becomes personal: Are we willing to do God's will?

God's will isn't always mysterious. Much of it is clearly revealed in Scripture. Love your enemies. Don't be anxious; pray instead. Forgive as you've been forgiven. Show mercy. Pursue justice. Walk humbly.

We often want to know God's specific will for particular situations—which job to take, whom to marry, where to move. But if we're not living out His clearly revealed will in everyday matters, why would we expect clarity on the specifics?

Fruitfulness begins with willingness. Not a perfect willingness—remember, the first son initially said no. But eventually, he went. That's what matters. When we know what God wants and we do it, even when we don't feel like it, we create space for fruit to grow.

A Submitted Heart

Jesus told another parable about a vineyard owner who leased his land to tenants. When harvest time came, he sent servants to collect his share of the fruit. The tenants beat them, killed them, sent them away empty-handed. Finally, the owner sent his own son, thinking surely they would respect him. Instead, they killed him too, believing that with the heir gone, they could claim the vineyard for themselves.

This parable reveals something dark about the human heart: we want the benefits of God's kingdom without submitting to God's authority. We want the vineyard without the relationship. We want the fruit without the Father.

The religious leaders Jesus addressed wanted influence, prestige, and control. They wanted to maintain their power without bowing to the rightful King. When Jesus came—the Son, the true heir—they rejected Him because accepting Him meant surrendering their authority.

Living a fruitful life requires submission to Christ's authority. This means letting Scripture—not culture, not emotions, not self-interest—define truth and govern our decisions. It means obeying what God's Word says even when it contradicts what we want.

Consider the command to love our enemies. In our flesh, we'd rather see them suffer. But when we're submitted to Christ's authority, we yield our will to His. We recognize that everything we have—our time, resources, relationships, ambitions—belongs to Him, entrusted to us as stewards.

This isn't burdensome slavery; it's joyful submission. It's worship expressed through obedience. It's finding peace in trust rather than control.

A Receptive Heart

The third parable describes a king who prepared a wedding feast for his son. He invited guests, but they refused to come. Some ignored the invitation entirely, going about their business. Others violently rejected it. So the king sent his servants into the streets to invite anyone they could find—the good and the bad alike.

The wedding hall filled with guests. But one man showed up without wedding garments. In that culture, appropriate garments were provided for wedding guests. This man's refusal to wear them revealed his assumption that he could come on his own terms. The king had him removed.

The religious leaders believed they could enter God's kingdom clothed in their own righteousness. But entrance requires being clothed in Christ's righteousness—a gift we must receive, not something we earn.

A receptive heart is essential to fruitfulness. This means listening attentively when God speaks—through Scripture, through preaching, through the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. It's not rushing through devotions to check a box but genuinely asking, "God, what do You want to say to me today?"

A receptive heart responds in obedience. When God makes His will clear, we act on it, even when it's difficult.

Perhaps most challenging, a receptive heart welcomes correction. None of us enjoys being told we're wrong. Our instinct is to defend, deflect, blame others. But humility asks, "Am I actually wrong here? Is there truth in this correction?"

A receptive heart receives exhortation from others, considers concerns raised about our behavior, and remains open to the Spirit's conviction.

Creating the Conditions for Fruit

God has provided everything necessary for us to live fruitful lives. Like the vineyard owner who built the fence, dug the winepress, and constructed the tower, He's given us His Word, His Spirit, His church, His promises.

Fruitfulness isn't about striving harder or looking more religious. It's about creating the right conditions: cultivating willingness to do God's revealed will, maintaining submission to Christ's authority, and developing receptiveness to His voice and correction.

When these conditions exist, fruit naturally follows. Not because we're impressive, but because we're connected to the Source of all life.

The question isn't whether God wants us to be fruitful—He does. The question is whether we'll create the environment where fruit can grow.