"Fruit"

 

“Fruit”

 

Recent TV ads have stressed the importance of including fruits and vegetables in our diets because of their nutritional value. Both are found in abundance in the produce sections of our local super markets. What’s the difference? Botanists tell us that fruits contain internal seeds while veggies primarily consist of roots, stems and leaves so, contrary to conventional wisdom, tomatoes are a fruit, not a vegetable. We tend to enjoy the taste of fruit more than their cousins because they have natural sugars called fructose as part of their makeup. To take it a step further, my dad used to say he liked fruit—preferably between two crusts! I think he has a lot of company in his assessment.

Researchers tell us that there are more than 2000 known varieties of fruits. Most are grown regionally due to climate and soil conditions. For example, in central Florida where we live there are still many citrus groves but you’re not likely to find orange trees in Alaska. But with modern refrigeration and shipping methods most fruits can be enjoyed anywhere.

Fruits and fruitfulness are mentioned more than 200 times in Scripture, both literally and as figures of speech. Generally speaking, in the Old Testament it’s used in the material sense (“’Let the land produce vegetation…fruit with seed in it….’”—Genesis 1:11) while the New Testament utilizes it symbolically to refer to results of activity, both positively (“’…I chose you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.’”—John 15:16) and negatively (“’Watch out for false prophets…By their fruit you will recognize them.’”—Matthew 7:15-16). Which does God expect from me? Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul: “We…pray that your outward lives, which (people) see, may bring credit to your master’s name, and that you may bring joy to his heart by bearing genuine Christian fruit….” (Colossians 1:10, PH). (Emphasis added throughout.) And “…As we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word….” (to quote from a familiar hymn) we’ll move from bearing fruit to more fruit to much fruit to lasting fruit (John 15:2,8,16),

What kind of fruit bearer am I?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan