A NEW VINE ESTABLISHED.
I AM, the TRUE VINE. {To the exclusion of all others} John 15:1The vine of the Lord. The true, the real vine. The only vine that the Lord will recognize as being His. It is the vine of truth. All true doctrine and teaching is established by relationship to this vine of eternal life. It is a vine to whom all must be joined in order to possess life eternal. All that Christ is, flows through this vine to the branches.
THE PROCESS TO MATURITY.
The management of the branches that are IN CHRIST. If they are not productive, they are cut off and that involves all of the unproductive branches. Sounds very severe and it is. Note please, that these are branches that are IN HIM but are absolutely barren. To have been a fruitful branch is not sufficient. The current status is what counts. Even the fruit bearing branches are pruned that they might become more fruitful. The trimming back of the vine appears to the untrained eye to be extreme but to the horticulturist it is necessary. John 15:2
THE SECRET OF FRUIT BEARING.
The key word is ABIDE. To remain or to stay joined to the main trunk. Let it become the dwelling place, the manner of life. Only if we are connected to the trunk can we receive the sustenance necessary for life and growth. It is impossible for there to be fruit unless the branch is constantly one with the roots and stem of the vine. John 15:4-5 The consequences of failing to abide are disastrous. Consider them carefully. Jesus emphasized the individual or the person more than the branch. The literal, physical branch at this particular moment of time is not of importance. The spiritual life of the individual who is not abiding is that which is of mega importance. As the branch, so now the person is the one castaway and begins to wither, to dry up, to shrivel. One need not reject the Lord nor abruptly turn from Him for this to happen. Many are sitting in the pews of churches today who are void of the moving of the Spirit in their lives. They may be very active and helpful in the ministration of the body but the fruit of the Spirit is no longer evident. This is an extremely dangerous position for one to find themselves in. It is possible to become a professional Christian. One who knows the manner in which they must conduct themselves. Knowing the talk and the language, yet to be separated from the vine. Which is the kiss of eternal death.