Jesus Christ: The Life in the Vine

Scripture passage- “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”. (John 15:5 NIV)

The Vine and the branches

It is possible that Jesus and his disciples saw the vines on their road from Bethany to Gethsemane. The disciples were probably making remarks on the different kinds of them, and our Lord took the opportunity of improving the conversation, according to his usual manner, to the instruction of their souls. He termed himself the true vine, or vine of the right sort, in opposition to the wild and barren vine.

Jesus stands in the same relation to his followers, and they to him, as the vine to the branches, and the branches to the vine. The true, authentic vine is Jesus Christ. The value of the vine lies in its fruit. Jesus came to bear fruit for the kingdom of God. His fruit always has the sweet, authentic fragrance of righteousness. If it is not characterized by righteousness it did not come from his vine. God expects every believer to produce “fruit,” and “more fruit,” even “much fruit” for his glory.

Abiding in the Vine

To remain in Christ is, on the one hand, to have no known sin unjudged and unconfessed, no interest into which he is not brought, no life which he cannot share. On the other hand, the abiding one takes all burdens to himself, draws wisdom, life, and strength from him. It is not unceasing consciousness of these things, and of him, but that nothing is allowed in life which separates from him.

There are many Christians who live their lives with the attitude that God will help them win and gain everything they want on their terms. This is a cheapened, commercialised version of Christianity. It will never produce the fruit of righteousness that is pleasing to God. Some people imagine they can have the person of Christ without doctrinal responsibility. They like the idea of a sympathising and loving Jesus, but they do not want to accept His teaching. The result of such an attitude toward God and his purposes is always disillusionment, disappointment, doubt, and despair. We approach him with our agendas and expect abundant spiritual life. It doesn’t work that way. God will bless only that which will bring him glory through an abundant life. The truth is God never blesses us on our terms or conditions. He will have nothing to do with it. However, he wants to bless us abundantly according to his purposes.

The pruning by the Gardener

Jesus explained that as the vine-dresser removed every unfruitful branch from the vine, so will God remove every unfruitful member from the body of him, such as the unbelieving Jews, the apostatizing disciples, and all false and merely nominal Christians. Those who live not united with the living vine, and bring forth no fruit to the glory of God made shipwreck of their faith. They will be pruned. The branch which bears no fruit, the gardener will take it away. The branch that bears fruit, the gardener will removes everything that might hinder its increasing fruitfulness. The pruning signifies cleansing, purging, and purifying. He who brings forth fruit to God’s glory, according to his light and power, will have the hindrances taken away from his heart.

Are we fruit-bearing branches?

Are we those who are joined to Christ and fruitful? In what ways are we useful to the kingdom of God? Are we no more than dead wood, or at best just beautiful leaves? 

A. W. Pink lucidly said, “The Vine and its branches express oneness, a common life, shared by all, with the complete dependency of the branches upon the Vine, resulting in fruit-bearing.”

As we bear "much fruit" the Father is glorified in us. The minor moralities and graces of Christianity are often imitated, but never the ninefold "fruit" of Galatians 5:22 and 23-- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Abide in Christ to bear much fruit

Separated from Christ, we can bear no fruit. God can do without man, but man cannot do without God. For a branch to live, thrive, and bring forth fruit, it must be joined to the vine. If cut off from the vine, it cannot get the water to thrive and bear fruit. Separated from the life in the vine, its very existence or life will come to an end.

A person truly united to Christ as the branch brings forth fruit to the glory of his God. But to talk of being seemingly in Christ means nothing. The union of the branch with the vine must be firm and genuine; otherwise, it will no longer have any right or title to him or his salvation. The person will be separated from God’s people and God himself. God is glorified only by those who abide in Christ and bear much fruit.

Selie Visa