“有敬虔的外貌，却背了敬虔的实意”(提后3:5;阅太21:19-21){FH.105.1}
世界的救主对那棵不结果子的无花果树的处置，说明了一切假虔诚的人将来的命运。这棵树代表不肯响应基督之爱的犹太人。他们虽获得诸般特权和机会，却只长出荆棘和蒺藜，没有结出果子来荣耀上帝。这棵枯干的树喻指以色列家，确实是一个极其深刻的教训。这也是给历代自称跟从基督之人的教训。它一直用明确无误的语言对一切形式主义者和自夸敬虔的人说话。这等人在世人面前高谈阔论信仰，却完全缺乏上帝所唯一承认为果子的至关重要的虔诚。……
许多人象那棵不结果子的无花果树一样，在主面前招摇着他们满是叶子的枝子，骄傲地声称是祂守诫命的子民。鉴察内心的上帝却发现他们没有果子。……{FH.105.2}
我们从圣经学到，这棵树上没有结出一串救赎的果子，却满覆着绿色的叶子。请注意这句话：“有敬虔的外貌，却背了敬虔的实意。”这棵不结果子的无花果树所遭遇的厄运应验在一等自称信主的人身上。他们表现出未重生之心的种种本性倾向。他们的日常生活与他们的信仰相矛盾，没有在世人面前表现基督的品格，因为他们里面没有基督。{FH.105.3}
我们的救主决不转离真心痛悔的人，无论他们的罪过有多大。但祂恨恶一切的伪善和虚荣的炫耀。……{FH.105.4}
自称信主却不结果子的人哪，你们的命运确实悲惨;因为公开犯罪的人在上帝面前也处于比你们更有利的地位。上帝的咒诅临到那等假借敬虔的外貌掩藏自己生活缺陷的人。约翰大胆无畏地斥责罪恶，为基督的第一次降临预备道路。他曾这样对到他面前要听他说话的群众说：“凡不结好果子的树就砍下来，丢在火里”(太3:10)。——《评论与通讯》，1881年1月11日。{FH.105.5}
The Barren Fig Tree, April 3 Having a form of godliness but denying its power.?2 Timothy 3:5. (Read?Matthew 21:19-21.)?{FH 105.1}[1]
The treatment of the barren fig tree by the Savior of the world shows how all pretenders to godliness will be treated.... This tree represents the Jews, who refused to respond to the love of Christ. Despite all the privileges and opportunities granted them, they brought forth only briers and thorns—no fruit to the glory of God. This blighted tree was a parable to the house of Israel—a most impressive lesson. It is also a lesson to the professed followers of Christ in every age. Reaching through all time, it speaks in unmistakable language to all formalists and boasters of godliness who stand forth to the world with high profession but are utterly devoid of that vital piety which alone God recognizes as fruit....?{FH 105.2}[2]
Like the barren fig tree, many flaunt their foliage—covered branches before the Lord, proudly claiming to be His commandment-keeping people, while the heart-searching God finds them destitute of fruit....?{FH 105.3}[3]
We learn from the Sacred Record that this tree, upon which hung not a redeeming cluster of fruit, was clothed with green foliage. Notice the words, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” The doom of the fruitless fig tree has an application to individual professors who manifest the natural tendencies of the unrenewed heart, and contradict their faith by their daily life. They do not represent to the world the character of Christ, because they have not Christ in them.?{FH 105.4}[4]
Our Savior never turned away from the truly penitent, no matter how great their guilt. But He hates all hypocrisy and vain display....?{FH 105.5}[5]
Fruitless professors, sad indeed is your fate; for the open sinner stands in a more favorable position in the sight of God. The blight of God’s curse is upon that class who hide the deformity of their lives under a profession of godliness. John, that bold, undaunted reprover of sin, who came to prepare the way for Christ’s first advent, thus addressed the multitude that flocked to hear him: “Therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”—The Review and Herald, January 11, 1881.?{FH 105.6}[6]
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