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Daily Devotions

Hebrews

Hebrews 
Day 
Day 157

"If it bears thorns and briers..."

Text: Hebrews 6:8

FRUITFULNESS

Fruitfulness is well described as a “blessing” from God. Where there is fruitfulness God is well and truly glorified!

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear
much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
John 15:8

WHEN THERE IS UNFRUITFULNESS

The question of unfruitfulness is an entirely different matter. The following text brings out the severity of the matter when there is unfruitfulness.

“But if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and
near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.”
Hebrews 6:8

1. If it bears thorns and briers

a) These represent “unfruitfulness”.
b) All the effort put in by God and men go to waste completely.

2. Near to being cursed

a) By God
b) By man

3. Whose end is to be burned

This is the inevitable conclusion! This is the solemn conclusion of the author’s discussion of those who had “fallen away” (Hebrews 6:6).

STRONG BIBLICAL SUPPORT

The author’s understanding of this matter has strong Biblical support. Two may be cited:-

1. The Song of the Vineyard (Cf. Isaiah 5:1-7)

This text describes the tremendous effort put in by God to cause Israel and Judah to be fruitful. However, all efforts failed miserably! The vineyard was then destroyed because it was unfruitful.

2. From a noble vine to a degenerate plant (Cf. Jeremiah 2:21)

This text is similar to the one Isaiah wrote. Jeremiah noted God’s indignation that His efforts to plant a noble vine had been in vain. Instead of being noble Judah had become “a degenerate plant of an alien vine”!