Fruits of the Rose
I
was deadheading some rose bushes so that they would use their growth
energy to produce more flowers. If the spent blossoms are not deadheaded
(cut off) the rose bush will use energy to reproduce in the form of
seeds. This seed pod on a rose bush is also its fruit.
The rose's fruit is called a hip that contains the seeds known as achenes.
Rose hips are very rich in vitamin C, plus they contain vitamins D
& E, contain essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. Many vitamin
and herbal supplements contain rose hips. Rose hips are traditionally
collected and used to make tea, jam, jelly, pies, oil and bread.
Not
only are rose hips good for human consumption, they provide colorful
interest to the rose bushes during winter after all the roses and leaves
are gone from the rose bush. Several species of birds are grateful to
be the recipients of rose hips as food during the late fall and the dead
of winter months.
Rose hips can only appear after the flowers fade.
As
you may have already guessed, I'm not just talking about roses! It is
not a complicated parable to see that parallelism between believers and
roses. Both a healthy rose and a believer should produce fruit. Just as
roses prefer moist well-drained, nutrient rich, and well fertilized soil
to eventually produce fruit. A Christian should be flowing waters of
blessings for others fed by the life giving fertilization of the word of
God. Believers should mature and bear spiritual fruits. (John 15:16) You
did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go
and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you
ask the Father in My name He may give you. (Matthew 3:8) Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
Roses
that are over-watered, their leaves turn soft and yellow. While dry
parched ground can cause a rose to go dormant in a fight to preserve its
life. A healthy balance of food and water will amaze you with beautiful
fragrant flowers that fade to produce life giving fruit.
Roses
need some attention to be the best they can be. Some pruning,
deadheading, and dry spells all cause just enough stress to strengthen
and fortify a rose to produce the most beautiful flowers and nutritional
fruit.
Believers
who practice a watered down feel good only form of religion can not
stand up to the stress and trials inevitable in their walk with the
Lord.
Satan
will be the perversion the brings the drought that renders that kind of
person dormant and useless to God's Kingdom and bears no fruit.
(Ephesians 5:11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
Just
as a rose needs deep watering to grow deep roots. Believers need to
delve deep into the Word and immerse themselves in its truths to grow
formidable foundations on which to grow. (2 Timothy 2:15) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Stand Proud
A
rose is a proud and shining example of the beauty that Jesus has
created. Roses stand out shouting God's Glory, spewing the fragrance of
its Creator to all who gaze upon it's splendor.
Believers
can take lessons from a rose in how to share Jesus with others. We need
to stand tall, proud, and be that shining beacon of light to draw
others into the wonderful salvation grace and love of Christ. (Matthew
5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Christians
should bear the fruits to help sustain others during the trials and
tribulations that inevitably test us all. (1 Peter 5:10) But
may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ
Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen,
and settle you. (Matthew 12:33) “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
Just
as a rose can become too big and scraggly for its own good, and must be
cut down to size. This pruning will correct its growth and health back
into balance. God will chasten His own children (believers) into a
balanced relationship as our Father. (Hebrews 12:11)
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful;
nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness
to those who have been trained by it.
Just as,.. Rose hips fruit can only appear after the flowers fade. A Christian can only bear fruit when the pride of their flesh has faded. (Galatians 5:22-26) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against
such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the
flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us
also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one
another, envying one another.
The
purpose for these trials is not to make our lives miserable, but to
help us bear fruit. We must keep in mind and remember that we have a
purpose for being here. (1 Peter 2:9) But
you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own
special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you
out of darkness into His marvelous light;
The True Vine
While
not all Christians can or will be that perfect specimen of a Rose. All
in God's family are necessary to the vine on which we grow. (John
15:1-8) “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every
branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are
already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in
Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it
abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the
vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears
much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide
in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them
and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me,
and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be
done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;
so you will be My disciples.
We
must not grow weary in our seasons of growth. Before you know it the
precious little time we live has passed by. We must be the best Rose we
can be, 'nurtured by the Son of God.'
“Man who is born of woman
Is of few days and full of trouble.
He comes forth like a flower and fades away;
He flees like a shadow and does not continue.”
He comes forth like a flower and fades away;
He flees like a shadow and does not continue.”
(Job 14:1-2)
There is the comfort in knowing that until our flower of life fades we have our Father the 'vinedresser' who tends to us in 'every moment' of everyday of our lives.
“What is man, that You should exalt him,
That You should set Your heart on him,
That You should visit him every morning,
And test him every moment?
That You should set Your heart on him,
That You should visit him every morning,
And test him every moment?
(Job 7:17-18)
It is not the color of the Rose that matters. It is its fruit upon the vine in which it grows.
