[:en]The Vine and the Branches (vs. 1-*17)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener” (v. 1) As the gardener, He does two kinds of action. He cuts off branches that do not bear fruit. He also cuts back branches to promote growth. The branches are those who claim to be followers of Christ. The fruitful branches represent true believer who produce much fruit. The unproductive believers are those who do not truly follow Christ and are worthless. They often become a stumbling block to others.
The essence of fruit doe snot only mean the people you win for Christ. It also include answered prayer (v. 7), joy (v. 11) and love (v. 12). In Galatians 5:22-24, Paul mentioned the fruit of Spirit – joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control. In 2 Peter 1:5=8, Peter described fruit as qualities of Christian character – faithfulness – goodness – knowledge – self-control – perseverance -godliness – brother kindness – love.
“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”. To remain in Christ is to believe in Jesus as the Son of God, to accept Him as your personal Savior and Lord, to do his commands, and to love one another. If you wish to live a fruitful life, you much stay close to Him. To stay close to Him, you must read His Word. “If you remain in Him, whatever you ask, it will be given to you” (v. 7) You will also experience the joy that transcends the rolling waves of cirucumstances. The joy of living with Christ will sustain you to walk through the adversity of life.
Too remain in His love is to obey His commands (vs. 9-10) And His command is to love each other as God loved you. (v. 12). God demonstrated His greatest love by laying down His life for us. We are to practise sacrificial love by helping, giving, listening, encouraging one another. Jesus calls us friends and said: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: “Love each other” (vs. 16-17)
Summary:
- God is the true vine, we are the branches
- We should remain in Him in order to bear fruists
- We can do nothing apart from Him.
- Stay close to Him by reading His Word
- To remain in His love is to obey His command
- His command is to love one another.
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