The Vine

   In John’s gospel we are told that we are branches on the vine of our Lord (see John 15: 1-8).  God is the vine dresser; a branch that bears no fruit will be taken away and those bearing fruit will be pruned to bear more.  Those who are removed from the vine die in the spirit just as a branch cut from any plant will wither and die.

   As the branches of Jesus’ vine we can bear fruit if we will.  Just as the branches of the grape vine produce the grapes that are made into wine, we can bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  By our example we can also encourage fruitfulness in others.  In this way we can grow the vine of Jesus in our world today.

   If we can increase the vine by our bearing of good fruit then we can also harm the vine by a failure to bear fruit.  While our sins produce bad fruit, our apathy and lack of Christian enthusiasm also harms the fruit produced.  Those who reject Christ look for any reason to rationalize their lack of faith.  Our sins and spiritual apathy not only keeps us from producing good fruit it provides the evidence they seek to justify denying God.

   What of those who have been trimmed from the vine?  Those who sins have caused them to be removed from the vine.   They face eternity without God.  Yet even they have the opportunity to regain salvation.  Our God is a loving and merciful God.  Even those who have rejected Him and are apart from the vine can be grafted back onto the vine if they truly desire.  Through confession, repentance and a sincere desire for holiness their sins can be forgiven and they can reclaim their place in the vine.

   Each day we face many choices.  The greatest of these is whether or not we will produce the good fruit of Jesus’ gospel.  If that is our desire He will help us, strengthen us and forgive us when we fail.  He wants to take us to His home if only we will let Him.

   “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14: 2-3)