Wilted Blossoms
He will shake off his unripe grape like the vine, and cast off his blossom like the olive tree.
Job 15:33
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Wilted Blossoms
A sick tree will not produce fruit. Its blossoms will wither and fall. When this happens, it is often advisable to prune back the unhealthy limbs to encourage new growth. Yet if the disease is more deep rooted even that will not help. We have a deep-rooted disease, sin. It is part of us at conception and all too often produced spoiled fruit in us. We cannot will ourselves into growing good fruit. No amount of good works or right living will change this for us. So what are we to do? How are we cured of this deadly disease? We are grafted into a Vine which always produces good and worthy fruit. Because of our true Vine, Jesus Christ, we sinners are justified by God’s forgiveness through the righteousness of Christ. Only by God’s grace towards us undeserving, wilted blossoms, for Christ’s sake, are we chosen by God and our sin are forgiven and eternal salvation assured. It is the Holy Spirit given faith which receives the gift of forgiveness which God offers us through the Gospel. It is in this new state, where the old, wilted blossoms fall and the new growth, watered in Holy Baptism and fed at the Lord’s altar, flourish.
Job 15:33
+
Wilted Blossoms
A sick tree will not produce fruit. Its blossoms will wither and fall. When this happens, it is often advisable to prune back the unhealthy limbs to encourage new growth. Yet if the disease is more deep rooted even that will not help. We have a deep-rooted disease, sin. It is part of us at conception and all too often produced spoiled fruit in us. We cannot will ourselves into growing good fruit. No amount of good works or right living will change this for us. So what are we to do? How are we cured of this deadly disease? We are grafted into a Vine which always produces good and worthy fruit. Because of our true Vine, Jesus Christ, we sinners are justified by God’s forgiveness through the righteousness of Christ. Only by God’s grace towards us undeserving, wilted blossoms, for Christ’s sake, are we chosen by God and our sin are forgiven and eternal salvation assured. It is the Holy Spirit given faith which receives the gift of forgiveness which God offers us through the Gospel. It is in this new state, where the old, wilted blossoms fall and the new growth, watered in Holy Baptism and fed at the Lord’s altar, flourish.
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