Bells and Pomegranates

Today is all about bells and pomegranates. In case the reader is wondering, there were bells and pomegranates around robe that Aaron wore as he ministered to the Lord as high priest. A long time ago, a friend shared with me something she had heard. She heard that the bells represented the gifts of the Spirit (1 cor. 12) and the pomegranates represent the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5). Without the pomegranates, the bells would clank together like a clanging gong (1 Cor. 13). With the pomegranates, the bells would make a beautiful tinkling sound. The gifts are only effective in a way that is pleasing to the Lord when there is fruit mixed in.

First the bells: The gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29). He never takes them back. I have gifts that God has given me. I rely on the Holy Spirit to power those gifts. I can prophesy, teach, exhort or do any number of things completely by the Spirit. It is possible to exercise the gifts totally devoid of the fruit. If that were not possible, Paul wouldn't have warned us: "If I speak the languages of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal..." (1 Cor. 13:1-3) Scary thought.

Now the pomegranates: Fruit is grown. Unlike the gifts that are given and not taken back, fruit only grows when the branch is connected to the vine. Jesus said, "Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me." (John 15:4) There is no way we can lose our salvation that Jesus gave to us who believe , but we can lose connection to His vine when we do not spend actual time in communion with Him. In other words, if my devotional life stinks, I don't produce fruit. I risk being tossed into the fire by the Husbandman.

In short, devotion to communion with the Lord creates the fruit of the Spirit in my life. Without a vibrant connection to the Vine, I risk wielding the gifts of the Spirit like a sword, cutting into others instead of sharing a mix of fruit and gifts. That cannot be pleasing to the Lord!

Lord, help me remember pomegranate, bell, pomegranate, bell, pomegranate so that I can be one who brings Your Truth in love in a way that brings people to Your cross.