SPRING BLOSSOMS & SUMMER FRUIT

Scripture likens the Christian to the fragrant blooms of summer fruit trees. The basket of summer fruit takes us back to springtime where orchards appear as giant flower gardens. Trees, like large bouquets of delicate flowers, fill the countryside with their bewitching scent. These kingly robes of exquisite blooms are nature's promise that in time fruit will appear in abundance.

In writing to the Church, Paul reminds us that our lives are to spread the sweet odor of Christ, "for we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing" (2 Cor.2:15). Fruit is the end for which a tree lives. Spiritual fruit is the end for which we should live because it is only "through us the fragrance of His knowledge spreads" (2 Cor.2:14).

One of the dangers during blossom time is the intrusion of blight. The promise of delicious fruit is painted in the delicate spring flowers. But sometimes a sudden frost, a strong east wind or some insect mars the blooms and affects its fruit. Marred fruit is always second best! How sad when blight destroys a Christian's effectiveness! The early blooms of spring gave such promise of abundant fruit. The "aroma" of Christian character was so evident. But something happened! The blight of a bad habit, wrong relationships or pride wormed its way inside and marred the fruit.

The history of Israel illustrates the blight sin can have among His people. Israel was Jehovah's vine! God intended them to bear fruit for the blessing of the world. But its blossoms became blighted through disobedience. The fruit began withering on the vine. Its fragrance gone! Joel 1:12 makes it clear: the vine is dried up and the fig tree is withered...the joy of people is withered away." Hosea then tells us why, "Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself" (Hosea 10:1).

Producing fruit takes time. There's no such thing as instant fruit! Seed must be planted in prepared soil. As it germinates, the roots go down. When the stem begins pointing upward, branches and leaves appear. In time, springtime blossoms give promise of summer fruit.

Scripture pictures Jesus as the Husbandman who "waits for the precious fruit of the earth" because He "chose us to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last" (John 15:16). In the parable of the vine and the branches, Jesus reveals the secret of good fruit: "no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine." To "abide" means "to remain, to reside, to submit, to live up to as in a promise or agreement." Sap cannot flow through branches unless they are connected and a vine has no value unless it bears fruit. The key to fruit bearing is communion; spending time in His Word and prayer. As we are connected to the Vine, the "fruit of the spirit" will begin flowing through our lives giving forth "the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

With spring in the air, this question begs an answer: "what kind of scent is your life producing?"