In John 15:5-6 Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you 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”.
Staying connected is a basic human need. It doesn’t matter if it’s cell phone coverage, a wifi signal, or our landline phone. There’s this basic need to be connected.
Jesus teaches us that we are branches connected to a vine. Jesus is that vine. He is the vine that gives life to its branches. Jesus the vine is our power source and apart from the power, there is no light and we walk blindly in darkness. It is critical that we stay connected to the true vine.
By paying our utility bills, this allows us to stay connected to our main power supplier. If we do not pay, we will be disconnected from the main power supplier.
Therefore, in order for you and I to live in this temporary home of ours, we must get connected to the main power supply and then stay connected to that main source of energy, because without it, we will continue to stumble through the obstacles in this world.
A branch cannot bear fruit by itself. The branch must be connected and live in the vine. Branches derive their life from the vine and the vine produces fruit through those branches.
Have ever seen a branch that has been broken off of a tree or a vine? What happens to it? It withers up and dies. Can it ever have any fruit on it again? No, it isn’t good for anything except fire wood. Abiding involves utter dependence upon Jesus the Vine. If we branches don’t continue intimately connected to the vine, our “sap” is cut off. We wither and whatever fruit might have been in the process of ripening becomes dry and eventually dies.
He cuts off the dead branches of your life, a relationship, a job, some hobby or habit, so the valuable nutrients of your life, your time, your gifts and your energy aren’t wasted in meaningless pursuits.
Jesus said, “If you remain in me, you will have much fruit, but apart from me, you can do nothing.” Jesus wants us to produce a lot of fruit. Good fruit like being kind, generous and faithful. Most of all, he wants us to love others as he has loved us.
Can we do that on our own? No way. Just as the light bulb must be connected to the source before its light can shine, and just as the branches must be connected to the vine before they can produce fruit, you and I must stay connected to Jesus to produce the good fruit that God expects of us.
The reason the branch bears fruit is because it is connected to the vine. The branch cannot be disconnected from the vine, bear fruit, and then be connected to the vine. We can do nothing toward God on our own (14:5). The flesh is of no help. We must be connected to Jesus and we connect to him through his words because his words give life. This is how we remain in him and how he remains in us.
We receive no substance unless we stay connected into that true vine and receive from it, from Him life giving nourishment and substance that keeps us living that keeps us producing that keeps us bearing fruit for without Him there is no life.
Jesus offers free spiritual wifi service. All we need to do is click on the little button that says, “CONNECT.”
Thank you for reading. please feel free to share your thoughts, like or reblog.
Until next time…Much love and blessings.
The Inspirational Room by Fay Ann Swearing 
Well put together…this has proven to be a useful reminder especially in these trying times
LikeLike
Wonderful post and analogies, Fay Ann. I appreciate the reminder that our Vinedresser will cut off dead things in our lives – I’ve had that experience more time than I can count. In the initial stages, the pain was painful. Being cut off from a potential spouse, being transplanted to a different state, being denied career and travel opportunities are just a few things. But now I look back, I see how wonderful God was to say no, these must be cut off so that He can be seen. No discipline is pleasant in the moment but oh the benefits they provide. “Abiding involves utter dependence upon Jesus the Vine” – I get this too. For the past two years the Lord has me in a season of total dependency. I’ve learnt that in these cases, I should not open or even try to open any door because the efforts will be futile. Let us remain obedient and completely dependent on our Master, Fay Ann. We must deny ourselves and the luxuries we think we deserve, take up our cross and follow Him. Continue seeking Him, beloved. Continue availing yourself to be used. When He’s ready, He will as we Jamaicans say “buss de door wide open!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you my sister for reading and sharing such great testimony.
I see where you went through your pruning stage and came out a better person.
Indeed pruning is painful but as the Vinedresser he knows what’s best for the branches.
He prunes the “branches” of our lives that are growing the wrong way. He prunes the branches that are sprouting out of our flesh. This pruning is not done to hurt us or punish us. Am happy you came to an understanding that this was a sure sign that your Father loves you.
Perhaps some of your branches have begun to grow in the wrong direction. Or maybe your flesh has “sprouted” a branch that, if left un-pruned, would drain the strength out of your spirit and your spiritual life.
I have learned that you don’t have to be doing something wrong to be pruned… even the branches that are doing well, those that best convey the life of the vine, get the knife. I have seen many faithful Christians get pruned including myself.
Today I am grateful for the pruning, it brought about maximum fruit production; to get the most out of me for His sake and increase my fruitfulness.
Thanks much for your valuable contribution, measure of encouragement and word of testimony. Blessings to you my sister.
LikeLike
🙏🏽
LikeLike