John 15:1-6 – The Vine and the Branches
The union between Christ and believers is very close. He is the Vine, we are the branches. In themselves believers have no life, or strength, or spiritual power. All that we have comes from Christ. We draw out of Jesus a continual supply of grace, help, and ability, just like the branch gets its life from the vine. We have no reason to despair and think we will never reach heaven. We are not left to ourselves and our own strength. Because Christ lives, we will live also. Our Root is in heaven and never dies.
These verses also show us that there are false Christians as well as true ones. There are branches that appear to be joined to the vine and yet bear no fruit. There are many who claim to be Christians but whose union with Christ is only outward and formal. Some of them have been baptised or are members of the church, some can talk loudly and well about God. But they are missing one thing. There is no grace in their hearts, no faith, no inner work of the Holy Spirit. They are not united to Christ. Their end, unless they repent, will be destruction. They will be separated from the company of true believers, and cast out as withered, useless branches into everlasting fire.
The fruits of the Spirit are the only satisfactory evidence of a man being a true Christian. The disciple that “abides in Christ,” like a branch abiding in the vine, will always bear fruit. What is fruit? Repentance toward God, faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, living a life of obedience – this is fruit. God will even use hardship and trial to make Christians more holy, to draw them away from the world and to Himself, so that they bear much fruit.
Questions
- How is Christ like a vine?
- What is the evidence of a man being a true Christian?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.