THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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If you want to stay young, associate with youth.
If you want to grow old quicker, try keeping up with them!
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John 15:5
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.
KJV
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My Dad has a large grapevine in his field. We were looking at it recently, and noticing all the clusters of grapes. The vine is beautiful, for Dad is very careful to keep it healthy. Looking at the vine and the grapes reminded me of the passage of Scripture quoted above.
The "fruit" has union with the vine. The Stem, which is Christ, pulls the power of His Holy Spirit into the branches, and it is HIS fruit which we bear. If we were not joined to Christ, we would be barren of any good fruit. Without Christ we can do nothing of spiritual significance.
It is by divine providence that we receive the "Husbandman's" care. Just as Dad keeps his grapes safe by spraying them to keep the birds and squirrels away, so God keeps us healthy by keeping the evil one away. Both the branches and fruit owe their existence and ability to the Vine.
Branches on a grape vine that do not bear fruit are carefully pruned away by the farmer. Those branches which do bear fruit are pruned back at the end of the season so that they will provide MORE fruit next year. And so it is with the branches of Christ our Vine, "...my Father is the husbandman . 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 15:1-2)
Jesus is the "true vine" which God planted in the earth. For "..the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:12). This vine is continually spreading, taking dominion in the earth and bearing many branches which provide fruit.
Without being "grafted in" to the Vine, we would be nothing. For we were "dead in trespasses and sin," but now we are "hid with Christ in God."
Let us be aware of the wonderful treasure we have: branches being recipients of His eternal Holy Spirit!
And let us always bear "much fruit" to the glory of God!
Love ya,
Bruce