Most of us don’t give much thought to how a plant grows. We know it needs soil, water, sunlight, and nutrients. But beyond that we may have no specific knowledge. Plant growth begins with dissolved mineral nutrients in soil water. The nutrients move into the root cells through osmosis. Osmosis is the natural movement of water molecules from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

The diluted water solution of nutrients known as sap, moves from cell to cell within the root tissue. The sap moves upward through the vessels of the plant’s stems. The nutrients are delivered to the plant’s leaves. They are used in photosynthesis to create the “food” required by the plant to sustain its life and produce its flower or fruit.

The Lord with His metaphorical words recorded in John 15:1-8, speaks of Himself as the true vine to which we, the branches, are attached. As branches, we are to bear much fruit, so our heavenly Father is glorified. To help us produce more fruit, the Father as the vinedresser prunes the branches.

Jesus clearly remarks life in the vine depends upon remaining attached to the vine and bearing fruit. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so 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, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” [John 15:4-5]

A vine’s branch must remain joined to the main vine to receive the life-giving sap. So also, our spiritual life must remain joined to the source of “spiritual sap” for our spiritual nourishment. Removing oneself from Christ cuts you off from spiritual nourishment.

A branch on the ground is separated from the vine. It will slowly dry up and dies. The vinedresser picks up the dead branch and throws it on the pile of other dead branches to later be burnt up.

Jesus stresses the importance of staying in a close life-giving relationship with Him with similar words, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up, and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” [John 15:6]

In addition to having a healthy spiritual life by remaining in Christ, there are two other benefits. One is your prayers are answered. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.” [John 15:7] Many of you have experienced the power of answered prayer. If you are not seeing prayers answered, is it possible you have removed yourself from the spiritual life-giving source of Jesus?

Another benefit of remaining in Christ, is fruit production. “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” [John 15:8] The living power of the Holy Spirit courses through the veins of our body. He works within us to bring about the fruits of the Spirit, the behaviors of righteousness, the fruits of our spiritual gifts, the fruit of producing disciples, and the fruit of benevolent deeds to others for the purpose that the Father is glorified, and we prove ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples.

If you see these fruits in your life, then you are abiding in the Jesus. If you do not see these fruits in your life, are you broken off from the vine of Christ? Jesus said, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away…” [John 15:2]

 

If there is a sparse production of fruit in your life, then understand, the Father, as the vinedresser, will prune you in beneficial ways to produce more fruit. Jesus said, “…and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.” [John 15:2]

 

A grape vine can produce up to 20 pounds of fruit each year. How much fruit for God can you produce? Ask God to help you be more fruitful for Him and stay attached to Jesus, the life-giving source for every Christian. —- Tom