What does an Apple tree know that we don't?

Far too often in Bible Study and teaching we rush to application. The Word of God is what changes life, so we seek life change rather than seeking God. We want to know WHAT we are to do with the text, but we don’t take the time necessary to really grasp all that is going on in the text. God is communicating specific things through the text and we are amiss to jump right to application, or rather keep it on top and everything in the text, hangs off our constant search for application. An example of this would be the tendency to focus on the fruits of the spirit in our life. How are you doing on Love, Peace, Patience? I know I need to keep working on love this week. How about you? When we do this, we miss the beauty and the glory of the Word (both the written Word and the Person). Notice what the fruits of the spirit - That’s right, they are FRUIT! Does an apple tree grow apples by concentrating on the apples? No, not at all. The apple tree takes in the nutrients from the soil, rain and sun. As it grows and flourishes, because it’s feed properly. The apples just grow. If there aren’t apples, then the tree is not properly nourished, is diseases, OR is not an apple tree. Let us not be apple trees focused on apples. An apple tree reaches for the sun! Every branch on the apple tree in my back yard is reaching for the sun – it isn’t concerned with how many apples it has covering its branches it is using the nourishment the Son provides it, and reaches for the sun with all its might. Let us focus on the Son, which allows the rain (milk of the Word) and the nourishing earth (meat of the word) to combine through the power of the Holy Spirit to change us in the inner man. This isn’t something we can force any more than an apple tree can grow apples in the middle of winter. It happens naturally in season, WHEN the proper things are being done. So, in our Bible study – we must shift from a focus on growth and spiritual production, to a focus on the Son and His person. Let Him be concerned with creating the fruits in our life. Just as the branches of my tree reach toward one object, may our hearts and minds follow the example of creation which simply doesn’t know any better.

(This is the beginning of my Philosophy of Bible Study lecture which I am preparing in conjuction with a whole series on Bible Study [basic and advanced], etc)