When Jesus spoke to His disciples in the upper room, He tried to explain in metaphorical illustrations the relationship and roles in which they connect. He is the Vine, and the sustenance for our growth. He is the “life-line” in which we breathe. He illustrated with love and patience that which He intended their role to be…and the Spiritual connection in which they/we are tied.
As the fruit comes forth due to the growth in His Spirit, we begin to process things differently. We see and think in His mind-set, we want to be at favor with God, and in so doing…we grow. We bear fruits of the Spirit.
The Father will prune our branches which essentially will replenish and bring forth even more fruit. Jesus warns us about the “tares” and reminds us many times, that “you will know them by their fruits.” Jesus’ words ring true as we look around in the news and see the proliferation of evil. Look at some of the headlines as of late, and you’ll be staring into the face of evil, and consequently, “rotten fruit.” When the Lord prunes our branches, it is necessary for growth. We cannot bear fruit without Jesus…We need Him to bring about the change and growth. So, He is the “Pruner” as well as our Vine. He has to prune in order for us to be productive in His purpose.
These are the “end days” and we are in a generation of no return. As we go forward in obedience to God, we prepare and surrender to His will. For those of us who are following Him, and honoring Him, and seeking His face…we are growing in Him. We become knitted together, and entwined in His love, and peace of mind stays with us, even in these chaotic- end days.
Christ is our foundation, we are the branches as we grow in His Spirit. It becomes apparent and things of the world fall away. We look to higher aspirations, we cry Abba Father as we seek to get nearer to the Lord. “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw Nigh to you.” (James 4:8)
His Son, Jesus Christ came looking for us in love, to save us….to bring us eternal salvation. He is the way, He is the light, He is the truth. The path is narrow…and the vine is firmly planted, the fruit that comes forth will tell it all.
Christ is the sustenance in which we need to thrive. He is that which we need to cling to in order to survive and gorw.
We should look foward to His pruning shears, and His corrections, as a child needs discipline from their earthly father…so we need from our heavenly Father.
We need to hear and understand His word and His purpose for our lives. We are cleansed by His blood. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1)
His living water allows me to drink, and the vine sustains our needs as branches bear copious fruits. We pray to be pleasing and produce an abundance of fruit, bearing His pefection within us. Through Him, and in Him…all things are rewarded and we are only strong and vital in Christ. Without Him, we wither, and dry up, and become chaff in the wind.
Is your fruit pleasing to God?
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I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ( John 15:1)
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2)
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (John 15:3)
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (John 15:4)
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5)
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6)
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)
Gorgeous Picture courtesy of Scott Birge.
Thanks Scott for your amazing pictures. God is using you for His purpose. Blessings~