The True Vine

“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. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned,” John 15:5-6, KJV.

Vines are particularly important to the life of perennial plants. They are known for spreading out, scaling walls, and going just about everywhere. Then I thought about a tomato plant and how dependant that vegetable is upon that vine. If the tomato is pulled away from the vine, there will be no more growth when it is on its own. This is exactly what Jesus was describing to us about Himself.

“I am the true vine, and 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. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me,” John 15: 1-4, KJV.

Who is our source? The source is where all of our help comes from. The sun that shines outside, the moon that glows at night, the soil where seeds are planted, and the very bodies that we carry around each day are all from One source. Our very existence depends on this source who is God.

Who are we away from the source? There are many who wander aimlessly through life, unable to identify their true purpose. I’ve heard many testimonies about being confused as to one’s calling in life. It is so sad because the answer is indeed in the Word of God. When a person is separated from God, they are going to feel empty, longing for something more. They will feel as if there’s something missing. When Jesus ministered to us about the vine, He put it on a level where we could relate and understand the gravity of detachment away from Him.

There was a very specific point that Jesus made in this passage during the first few verses. He revealed that He is the true vine, the pulse that pumps life through the entire body. I consider the importance of a heart to a human body; one cannot live without it. Jesus goes on to point out that God, the Father, is the husbandman, the farmer. What does a farmer do? He prunes his plants. He oversees what is growing on the plant and also what is withering. Those that are dry and lifeless He pulls away from the vine making room for new fruit. Those who are emerging, He helps them along by trimming off the rough edges. Isn’t that what happens as we go through trials?

The purging process I imagine to be a carefully detailed job. I don’t see it as one that is taken lightly. I believe that when the farmer planted that vine, he wanted all of the fruit to grow into full maturity, but some withered along the way. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,” 2 Peter 3:9, KJV.

This is why it is vital to be connected to God, to stay in His word, to stay in prayer, to remain dependant upon Him and not ourselves. If we aren't, death is inevitable.

Shaking the Tree

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit,” Matthew 7:15-18, KJV.

What is a false prophet? Well, let me begin with the meaning of the word prophet. It is commonly defined as a person who speaks by divine inspiration or as the interpreter through whom the will of a god is expressed. This can be the true and living God or it can be a false god, as they have messengers too. Back in the Old Testament, Exodus 7:1-2, KJV, we are told what prophet means. “And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.”

Moses was as a god because he received the word directly from God. Aaron was the prophet, simply delivering the message. So, when Jesus warned us to beware of false prophets, He was warning us to be wise (as serpents) because there are many who come in sheep’s clothing. Coming in a manner that appears to be innocent and docile, very meek and unassuming, but inwardly they are “ravening wolves.” The nature of a wolf is to hunt down prey. They attack and at times travel in packs, gaining momentum with each opportunity to destroy. Be weary of those whose words to you are contradicted by their attitudes to others; the Lord says you will know them by their fruits.

Fruits, this is our produce. What is being produced daily in our lives? What are we saying to others with our actions? It is clear that many proclaim salvation, yet display damnation. It is disheartening that some speak righteousness, but carry out wickedness. It is necessary to be on guard, because so many are falling “by the way side” due to these false prophets.

It is easy to say that people make mistakes, which indeed we all do, but that does not give a free license for anyone to dress in the clothes of prophet, and haven’t had the stain of sins washed away, which is salvation. When God says to come to Him with your whole heart, He means it. He doesn’t deserve what’s left over from the other gods one may serve. He knows when we’re being honest, not forfeiting the struggles we face. He understands and deals with us individually. But He also tells us that a good tree cannot produce bad fruit and a corrupt (crooked, immoral) tree cannot produce good fruit.

Our life's book is being recorded, day in and day out, and we must consider our ways. Examining the man in the mirror, what kind of fruit are you bearing? If God shook the tree of those bearing good fruits planted in Him, would you fall out?

“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them,” Matthew 7:19-20, KJV.