Jesus describes His identity as the true vine and the great I AM. He is the vine that gives life, and the Father is the vinedresser who prunes every fruit-bearing branch so that it can bear more fruit and who cuts off all the fruitless dead wood
The greatest and necessary sign of being a follower of Christ is that we will bear fruit. Abiding only comes when we see our sinfulness and our need to be totally dependent upon God for salvation through Jesus our Saviour. Fruit bearing follows attachment and comes not from human achievement but from our position in Christ. Attachment to the vine is only due to cleansing from sin.
We can produce no fruit on our own. We can DO nothing without being totally attached to Christ. Thus, the fruit is more than just words. Our conduct demonstrates whether we are true believers.
How much of our time are we in the Word, abiding in Christ, resting upon Him, and thinking of Him? If we abide in Christ and His Word in us, our mind will be saturated with Him. What we are filled with is what will flow out of us in actions, deeds, and in our prayer life. Our requests will only be for God's will to be done. Our desire will to bear fruit and glorify the Father, to be like Christ, and to be filled with His Word.
Obedience and love are inseparable. When we realize to love a brother is part of God's command to love one another, we then are walking in obedience and in the vine if we follow that commandment. If we are His disciples we will joyfully obey Him and wait for His return.
If you are not part of the vine, repent and ask Christ for nourishment, that you may be grafted to the true vine and produce fruit fit for God's kingdom. |
