February 11, 2026 WEST

Today's reading takes us on a sobering journey through Jeremiah 21, Matthew 21, 1 Corinthians 5, and Revelation 9—passages that collectively call us to examine the fruit we're producing in our spiritual lives. In Jeremiah, we encounter a nation that assumed God's favor while living in rebellion, a dangerous posture that led to their downfall. The priests and leaders believed their status as God's chosen people would shield them from consequences, yet God's judgment came nonetheless. This mirrors our own tendency to lean on grace while neglecting righteousness. Matthew 21 presents us with 'savage Jesus'—the Christ who cleanses the temple, curses the fruitless fig tree, and warns that the kingdom will be given to those producing its fruits. The fig tree, full of leaves but bearing no fruit, becomes a powerful metaphor for religious appearance without spiritual substance. Are we cardboard cutouts of faith, looking good from a distance but offering nothing when Jesus comes hungry? Paul's letter to the Corinthians intensifies this theme, addressing sexual immorality and other sins with stark clarity: purge the leaven before it spreads through the entire community. Finally, Revelation 9 shows us the ultimate consequence of refusing to repent—even under severe judgment, humanity clings to idols and sin. The common thread? God is conducting a 'fruit check' in our lives. He's asking us what we're producing: the fruits of His kingdom or the fruits of culture, strife, and religious performance. This isn't condemnation—it's His mercy, giving us time to repent, to release offense, hatred, greed, and immorality before these things choke out His presence in our lives. We're reminded that wherever envy and strife exist, every evil work finds a foothold. The invitation today is clear: respond to the Holy Spirit's gentle conviction, confess to trusted brothers and sisters, and allow God to clean out what doesn't belong so He can fill us with His glory.