The Big "IF"

[FutureAndAHope]

Jesus when speaking of repentance stated:


Luke 13:6-9 He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "


It shows that Salvation is not fixed, but rather there is a human element to the process.

• God comes looking for fruit
• If He does not find it he fertilizes it “with His work and love”
• If then the person does not respond they are cut off

This idea of a two-way “choice” is supported by scripture. Examples being:

1 Ch 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Isa 1:19-20 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it.

Job 36:10-12 He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity. If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.


Even Cain was given a “choice”, “do well”, or “let sin have its way”.

Gen 4:6-7 And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? and why is your face sad? If you do well, will you not have honour? and if you do wrong, sin is waiting at the door, desiring to have you, but do not let it be your master.

There is always an “IF” in scripture.

 

[Josheb]

Jesus when speaking of repentance stated:


Luke 13:6-9 He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?' But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "


It shows that Salvation is not fixed, but rather there is a human element to the process.

John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Exegetically, the explicit always defines the implicit, rather than the other way around. The fig tree planted in the certain man's vineyard could not bear fruit apart from Christ.

And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.

If it is Christ, well. If not, cut it down. No vine or tree bears fruit apart from Christ.

There is always an “IF” in scripture.

Yes, and the "if" is always whether or not a person is in Christ, not whether or not sinful flesh can make God save sinful flesh from itself. Notice the tree has a "keeper" upon whom the certain man relies.

Where does the parable of Luke 13:6-9 state the fruitless tree can bear fruit on its own?

 

[FutureAndAHope]

John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Exegetically, the explicit always defines the implicit, rather than the other way around. The fig tree planted in the certain man's vineyard could not bear fruit apart from Christ.

If it is Christ, well. If not, cut it down. No vine or tree bears fruit apart from Christ.

Yes, and the "if" is always whether or not a person is in Christ, not whether or not sinful flesh can make God save sinful flesh from itself. Notice the tree has a "keeper" upon whom the certain man relies.

Where does the parable of Luke 13:6-9 state the fruitless tree can bear fruit on its own?

They are two different parables, describing very different things. There is no relationship between them.

 

[Josheb]

They are two different parables, describing very different things. There is no relationship between them.

Prove it.