Two years ago, my wife and I planted two apple trees in our yard. Actually, we've planted a lot of different things that produce food, but this post is about apples. For some reason, we reference apples a lot to mean other things in our culture. For example, we would never think of comparing apples and oranges, and we know that it takes at least one apple each day to avoid the doctor. All that being the case, there are some things we can learn from apples.

"Don't upset the apple cart". Clearly, at some point in the past people were having trouble with their apple carts. Unless the cart stayed relatively level with the ground, the apples would go everywhere. Of course, we don't actually mean apple carts or apples. When we say this, we mean that one should not create trouble where no trouble exists. Just leave things alone rather than stirring things up. The Bible says, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger" (Prov 15:1). As Christians, we've been called to live a peaceable life inasmuch as we have the ability to do so. (Rom 12:18). Now, admittedly, sometimes trouble comes looking for us. Sometimes, other people try to overturn our apple cart, but we should not be looking for an opportunity to stir things up. In most cases, we are likely to be acting out of pride and self-interest than out of any legitimate motivation when we stir things up like that. Such actions are the work of our sinful flesh pushing its way to the forefront of our spiritual lives (Gal 5:19-21). So, keep those apples in the cart where they belong, and if someone upsets your apple cart, pick the apples back up rather than responding in the flesh.

"One bad apple spoils the barrel". Now, I think we've all experienced this one. You buy apples at the store and put them in a bowl at home. A few days later, the apples are all bad. One had a small bad spot that you didn't notice when you put them out, and only a couple days later, you are left to throw them all out.  In technical terms, rotting fruit releases ethylene gas that causes other fruit to ripen and rot very quickly. Literally, the one bad apple causes the other apples to begin to rot. It's the perfect picture for how one person can destroy an organization, a family, a group, or a church. When we allow the flesh to control our actions, we often "rub off" on those around us. As the bad attitudes and actions multiply, the sweet spirit that comes from walking in the Spirit can become a rotten, self-interested, fleshly attitude. This is why it is so important to begin each day as the Apostle Paul said and to consider ourselves as dead to sin and alive through the Spirit in Christ (Rom 6:11). Allowing the "ethylene gas" in our grievance to spread to others makes us guilty of the sin of division, and inflicts real hurt on the body of Christ (I Cor 1:10). 

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." In fact, I've never seen an apple fall anywhere but directly below the tree. Sir Isaac Newton spent a lot of time explaining why apples fall straight down, but this metaphor refers to families. It means we are generally the product of our upbringing. If your parents raised you, then likelier than not, you share a lot in common with them. That is why vocations often run in families. Politicians tend to have children who go into politics. Military members often have children who join the military. The children of scholars tend to pursue higher education. I am more like my father and mother than I am like random strangers I meet because "the apple didn't fall far from the tree." That is why it is so important to be who we ought to be, especially if we are raising children. Part of training "up a child in the way he should go" involves modeling correct behavior (Prov 22:6). Your children listen to what you say, but they also watch what you do. They will mimic your actions well into adulthood. Now, your parents may have had problems, or you may not even know who they are, but you don't have to be who they were. As an apple, you didn't just fall at random to the ground in the orchard. You were picked by a loving God who wants to make you a new creation through Jesus Christ (II Cor 5:17). Even if you had the worst parents, that can't overcome the power of God to make you new. In a sense, God gives you a new tree. Don't let the old tree make you forget who you are in Christ.

There are many other "apple" comparisons I could share, but these will suffice for now. No matter what kind of apple you are. No matter whose cart you are near. God wants to live through your life day by day, conforming you to the image of Jesus Christ that through your testimony others might see Him, as well.

Love you all,

Pastor Clark