When visiting a vineyard rose bushes carefully planted around the outer edges of the vineyard are a common sight. Besides being beautiful and adding a colorful touch to the vineyard, the rose bushes are nature's alarm system for protecting the sensitive branches in the vineyard.
There are diseases and plagues that can weaken or destroy the ecosystem in the vineyard. When these unwelcome invaders come the signs of disease and death first appear in the rose bushes. This gives the Vinedresser time to protect the vineyard and save the harvest.
In the life of the church the alarm system is the sudden loss spiritual beauty around the edges of the church. When a church loses the sensitive and beautiful signs of righteousness, peace and joy, then spiritual disease and death is coming to the entire vineyard.
Along with our desire to have a fruitful vineyard we must also be sure to surround the vineyard with beauty that is sensitive to the coming of sin.
"...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17
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