How Many Chances to Get Saved Does God Give People Living in the State of Actual Sin?

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Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
6,163
1,767
113
#24
Following the introduction of Luke 13's context of a call to repentance, Jesus told the parable of a man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, went and looked for fruit on it but did not find any, and told the keeper of the vineyard to cut it down because for three years he had found it barren. However, the vinedresser requested that the man give him another year to dig around and fertilize it...

Well then, I binged, "how long does it take for a fig tree to produce fruit?" and the engine retrieved, "Between two and six years" and an article from hunker that says, "under the right conditions, fig trees start to produce fruit when they are three to five years old" and following that link takes you to the best condition for a fig tree to produce fruit and 'tips for successful fruiting" that advises 'root pruning' that is, basically, taking a shovel or spade and shoving around the tree in an alternating pattern.

So, I wonder, how many years actually passed until the owner of the vineyard started looking for fruit in the first place and was the vinedresser relatively certain that the tree would indeed fruit after putting forth his effort to dig around and fertilize it? Had he neglected to assert this course of treatment up to that point?

Hopefully, you won't didn't need that treatment applied to your growth but, there's always that chance that you might.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,637
13,041
113
#25
So, I wonder, how many years actually passed until the owner of the vineyard started looking for fruit in the first place and was the vinedresser relatively certain that the tree would indeed fruit after putting forth his effort to dig around and fertilize it? Had he neglected to assert this course of treatment up to that point?
This parable is about Christ coming to Israel and not seeing the whole nation repent and turn to Him. That was the "fruit" He was looking for, and what John the Baptizer had been talking about right at the beginning. Christ spent about 3 1/2 years trying to bring Israel to repentance, to no avail.

In the end God allowed the Romans to destroy Judea, Jerusalem, and the temple, and exile the Jews. So that is what it is really all about. Of course Christ was "digging around and fertilizing " Israel daily. Read the Gospels.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
56,503
26,467
113
#26
Following the introduction of Luke 13's context of a call to repentance, Jesus told the parable of a man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, went and looked for fruit on it but did not find any, and told the keeper of the vineyard to cut it down because for three years he had found it barren. However, the vinedresser requested that the man give him another year to dig around and fertilize it...

Well then, I binged, "how long does it take for a fig tree to produce fruit?" and the engine retrieved, "Between two and six years" and an article from hunker that says, "under the right conditions, fig trees start to produce fruit when they are three to five years old" and following that link takes you to the best condition for a fig tree to produce fruit and 'tips for successful fruiting" that advises 'root pruning' that is, basically, taking a shovel or spade and shoving around the tree in an alternating pattern.

So, I wonder, how many years actually passed until the owner of the vineyard started looking for fruit in the first place and was the vinedresser relatively certain that the tree would indeed fruit after putting forth his effort to dig around and fertilize it? Had he neglected to assert this course of treatment up to that point?

Hopefully, you won't didn't need that treatment applied to your growth but, there's always that chance that you might.
Those three years were the years Jesus walked this world, while the sacrificial system was as unfruitful
as ever. Jesus cursed the fig tree which was a sign of Him bringing to an end that whole system.


The fig tree is a symbol/the emblem of the Judean nation, which seemed to be thriving -- with an
abundance of leaves -- but spiritually it was producing no fruit. Jesus often rebuked the scribes
and Pharisees for this lack of spiritual fruit, and in the same chapter of Matthew He concludes
(in the parable of the vineyard) by saying,
"Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall
be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof"
(verse 43). Verse 45
continues,
"And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard His parables, they perceived that
He spake of them."
The cursing of the fig tree represented a curse on the nation of Judea.

In verse 20, when Jesus' disciples saw the fig tree wither away, they "marveled, saying, How soon is the
fig tree withered away!"
This was a prophecy of the coming destruction of the Judean nation by the
Roman army under Titus in AD 70, only thirty-seven years later
(which also brought an end to temple worship).

The destruction was also prophesied in another parable in Luke 13:6-9: "A certain man had a fig tree planted
in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his
vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why
cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig
about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."


The three years of seeking fruit in the parable refer to the three years of Jesus' ministry. For these three years
Jesus sought but found no fruit among the Judeans, and so God was minded to cut the tree down. But the
dresser of the vineyard said to give it one more year, and he would fertilize it (by the preaching of his disciples)
to see if any fruit would be produced. But in the fourth year (Hebrew inclusive counting) it was evident there was
still no fruit, since they rejected and crucified Him, and so there was nothing left for the tree but to be cut down.


The fall of the Judean nation was also prophesied earlier by John the Baptist when he said, "And now also
the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn
down, and cast into the fire" (Matthew 3:10).
source
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,957
5,194
113
#27
How Many Chances to Get Saved Does God Give People Living in the State of Actual Sin?



Unknowable. One never knows if they will have another day. Now is the appointed time to get things right with their Maker.
well I mean how many times does a Loving Father forgive his children who repent ?

he teaches us to forgive seven times seventy seven offenses per day of necassary lol and forgave those nailing him to the cross …..
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,957
5,194
113
#28
Matthew 26:21-25


Mark:14:21-25
Consider this

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a

certain king, which would take account of his servants.

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.



But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that was done. Then his Lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:21-35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if we listen to Jesus we can learn things important and valuable things

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged:

condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:

forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall be given into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:36-38‬ ‭

If we won’t forgive others who sin against us we should t expect a lot of mercy come judgement day , if we’re merciful and do t judge and condemn and if we forgive others who do wrong to us we can fully expect the same manner of judgement and mercy mercy for the merciful who were given mercy
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
6,163
1,767
113
#29
This parable is about Christ coming to Israel and not seeing the whole nation repent and turn to Him. That was the "fruit" He was looking for, and what John the Baptizer had been talking about right at the beginning. Christ spent about 3 1/2 years trying to bring Israel to repentance, to no avail.

In the end God allowed the Romans to destroy Judea, Jerusalem, and the temple, and exile the Jews. So that is what it is really all about. Of course Christ was "digging around and fertilizing " Israel daily. Read the Gospels.
Those three years were the years Jesus walked this world, while the sacrificial system was as unfruitful
as ever. Jesus cursed the fig tree which was a sign of Him bringing to an end that whole system.


The fig tree is a symbol/the emblem of the Judean nation, which seemed to be thriving -- with an
abundance of leaves -- but spiritually it was producing no fruit. Jesus often rebuked the scribes
and Pharisees for this lack of spiritual fruit, and in the same chapter of Matthew He concludes
(in the parable of the vineyard) by saying,
"Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall
be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof"
(verse 43). Verse 45
continues,
"And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard His parables, they perceived that
He spake of them."
The cursing of the fig tree represented a curse on the nation of Judea.

In verse 20, when Jesus' disciples saw the fig tree wither away, they "marveled, saying, How soon is the
fig tree withered away!"
This was a prophecy of the coming destruction of the Judean nation by the
Roman army under Titus in AD 70, only thirty-seven years later
(which also brought an end to temple worship).

The destruction was also prophesied in another parable in Luke 13:6-9: "A certain man had a fig tree planted
in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his
vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why
cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig
about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."


The three years of seeking fruit in the parable refer to the three years of Jesus' ministry. For these three years
Jesus sought but found no fruit among the Judeans, and so God was minded to cut the tree down. But the
dresser of the vineyard said to give it one more year, and he would fertilize it (by the preaching of his disciples)
to see if any fruit would be produced. But in the fourth year (Hebrew inclusive counting) it was evident there was
still no fruit, since they rejected and crucified Him, and so there was nothing left for the tree but to be cut down.


The fall of the Judean nation was also prophesied earlier by John the Baptist when he said, "And now also
the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn
down, and cast into the fire" (Matthew 3:10).
source
What do you make of the "restoration promised" in Joel 2?

21 Do not be afraid, O land;
rejoice and be glad,
for the LORD has done great things.

22 Do not be afraid, O beasts of the field,
for the open pastures have turned green,
the trees bear their fruit,
and the fig tree and vine yield their best.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,637
13,041
113
#30
What do you make of the "restoration promised" in Joel 2?
Before restoration there must be repentance and conversion. This will happen after the Second Coming of Christ. But again, not all will repent.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
6,163
1,767
113
#31
Before restoration there must be repentance and conversion. This will happen after the Second Coming of Christ. But again, not all will repent.
I can't be sure that 'digging around the fig tree" is not alluding to armies surrounding it, and compelling that needed repentance.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,476
3,516
113
#32
It seems you are discussing the unpardonable sin, which Judas committed.
Where did Judas blaspheme the Holy Spirit ? Judas betrayed Christ.. Do you think that is an unforgivable sin?
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
15,337
5,500
113
62
#33
I can't be sure that 'digging around the fig tree" is not alluding to armies surrounding it, and compelling that needed repentance.
God is Israel's husband man. He would be the One tending her soil and pruning her. And eventually, cutting her down.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,476
3,516
113
#34
How Many Chances to Get Saved Does God Give People Living in the State of Actual Sin?
Can any Christian say they have completely ceased sinning?

So what is this ""Living in the State of Actual Sin?" ?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,637
13,041
113
#35

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
6,163
1,767
113
#36
God is Israel's husband man. He would be the One tending her soil and pruning her. And eventually, cutting her down.
Yes, if there is no fruit after the root pruning.
That is simply not the correct interpretation. Kindly read that parable again, and see what it is teaching. It has nothing to say about armies.

Who is this "dresser of the vineyard who says this to the owner: And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it.
in other scripture Jesus says "I am the true vine and My father is the vinedresser."

Are you of the school of thought that Israel is a "fake" Israel'?
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
6,163
1,767
113
#37
And this question caused me to wonder at who he man that had a fig tree in his vineyard, if God is the vinedresser. The man that would rather cut the tree down sooner...
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#38
well I mean how many times does a Loving Father forgive his children who repent?

he teaches us to forgive seven times seventy seven offenses per day of necassary lol and forgave those nailing him to the cross …..
Yes, and it is not God's will that any man harden his heart, but apostacy happens. I like how you added the words "who repent". That is of critical importance.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#39
well I mean how many times does a Loving Father forgive his children who repent ?
Happens multiple times every day. His grace provides this for all with a meek and penitent heart.