We can learn many practical lessons in Christian fruit-bearing by considering some of the practical aspects of fruit farming.
Grafting
Seed from a Red Delicious or Yellow Delicious apple will not produce the same kind of apple when planted. In either case, it is necessary to take “sign wood” or a twig from the tree that produced this kind of apple and graft it into a growing seedling.
So it is with us: Before there can be any fruit for the Lord Jesus Christ, we must have a new life.
Selecting a Site
The proper site to grow fruit is most important. Care must be taken to have not only good water drainage, but air drainage as well, so that the tender fruit buds will not freeze in the bloom period. If the area has a pocket where the frost may settle, the fruit could be lost during a cold spell.
Just so, as Christians, where we “pitch our tent” could mar our testimony, like poor Lot of old who found a site near Sodom. His righteous soul was vexed from day to day (2 Peter 2:8), and his children became the enemies of God’s children. May we, by God’s grace, seek a right path for ourselves and our little ones. “So we fasted and besought our God for this: and He was intreated of us” (Ezra 8:21,23).
Preparing the Ground
This, too, is very needful. A fruit-grower must be aware that there are many unseen enemies, such as nematodes, which destroy the roots of young apple trees. It is necessary to treat the soil for this problem, as well as to have a field free from weeds. Nematodes in the soil or too much grass and weeds where the young trees are planted often leave us with stunted trees all their lives.
Dear Mephibosheth, when only five years old, fell and became lame for the rest of his life (2 Sam. 4:4). In the early days of our Christian life, the companionship we keep often leaves a mark upon us. If we have had Christian parents who sought our good and blessing, we should be most thankful. If we are parents, may we seek special grace and help to bring up our little ones in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Planting Time
In Ecclesiastes 3:2, we find there is a time to plant. This would bring to mind many scriptures in regard to the word “time.” How important to be found redeeming the time!
It is very necessary for a young tree to have a good root system, well anchored and able to support the growth that is visible above the ground. We are exhorted, as believers, to stand fast in Christ (Gal. 5) and to be “rooted and grounded in love” (Eph. 3:17).
Most fruit growers planting trees from a nursery will cut off all the little branches, leaving only a “whip” about 30 inches high. As soon as the new branches appear, a clothespin is snapped just above the new shoot forcing the new branch to come out and away from the trunk. This results in a strong crotch that will be a big help in the later years of the tree so that it will not break when loaded with fruit.
It is good in our early years to learn verses from the Word of God, that we might be built up in our most holy faith (Jude 20).
Orchard Care
All growing trees require water, and lack of it is quickly visible. We, too, need to drink from “the fountain of living waters” (Jer. 2:13). This means to take in much of the precious Word of God daily. “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psa. 1:3).
While the tree is in its earliest years, a great effort is put forth to train the tree with a central leader. Sometimes a very vigorous branch must be removed which would like to take over the entire tree. Here, too, how important to have the right leader in our life down here. We desire to see steady growth in young trees, but it is also very necessary to have the tree “harden off” before the winter storms come.
This can be likened to the testing time that so often comes in our lives. May we “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). The dear Apostle Paul said to Timothy, whom he called his son, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). May we too be firm in the Word of God so it is not despised or clouded by a careless walk.
Ringing (Chastening)
A practice among some apple growers is to “ring” a young tree after it is four or five years old. A ring is cut around the trunk of the tree, but no bark is removed. It is done ten days after the normal blooming period. This treatment will cause the tree to bear fruit the following year. In Hebrews 12:6 we read about the Lord chastening those He loves. In Hebrews 12:11 we read that this chastening yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.
Pruning
Fruit-growers are very aware of the constant need for pruning. It is one job that never ends. If too many branches are left on the tree, the sun’s rays will be shut out and fruit of poor color will be the result. A pyramid-shaped tree is the most desirable one because this lets in the light. Branches which tend to hang down need to be removed.
May we, as Christians, be kept from letting any branch of our lives shut out the light of the Word of God to permit discolored fruit. The Word of God tells us in Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
Old Shoots Removed
Branches that sprout up below the graft must not be allowed to grow. These cannot produce fruit. As Christians, we can expect no fruit from the old nature. All evidence of this old nature sprouting out must be removed. Only the new nature that we have as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can bring forth fruit for God. Colossians 3:8 instructs us what to put off — including anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy communication. Colossians 3:12 tells us what to put on — including bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another and forgiving one another. This will help us to be fruitful Christians. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Gal. 5:22-23).
H. Roossinck