John 15:1 I am the true Vine. My Father is the Vinedresser.
In the 15th Chapter of the Gospel according to John, Jesus proclaims Himself to be the true Vine. He does this through a beautiful Parable that has been quoted down through the centuries. I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the Vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My Disciples. (John 15:1-8)
The Name/Title given to Jesus, the VINE, paints a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God with the Father as the Owner of the Vine, Jesus as the VINE, and every believer as branches on the VINE.
As on a grapevine, the vine is the life source for the branches. All fruit is produced only on the branches. If a branch does not produce fruit, it is cut off and burned up because it is worthless. Branches that do produce fruit are carefully pruned by the Owner so they will produce even more fruit.
This Parable indicates that there are three different types of branches: Branches that produce fruit, (He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;) branches that do not produce fruit, (Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit) and branches that have cut themselves off from the VINE. (If anyone does not abide in Me,) Therefore, it is possible for a believer (branch) to be attached but worthless to the Kingdom. It is also possible for a believer (branch) to choose to separate itself from the VINE.
So, if you are a believer in Christ, you are a branch on the VINE, Christ Jesus. The goal in the life of every believer should be to be a fruitful branch attached to the VINE. Jesus said, You shall know them by their fruit. (Matthew 7:16)
What type of branch are you? Again, there are three types of branches: Fruitful, unfruitful, and unattached. Which are you? The answer to this question is extremely important because it will determine your eternal destiny. ONLY attached, fruitful branches will be saved. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; (John 15:2) If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6)
The only way to be a fruitful branch on the VINE, is to stay attached to Him. This means keep your faith in Jesus Christ and His Finished Work on the Cross where He made it possible for you to be a branch in the first place. It is sin that will separate you from the VINE. Jesus went to the Cross and defeated the power of sin in our lives. (Colossians 2:15) Your CONTINUED faith in Christ and Him Crucified is the Power of God to separate you from sin and keep you attached to the VINE! Hallelujah!
Jesus, the VINE, came to…..…….turn the tide……….in this world.
Attached to the VINE! Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
