Cutting Grace: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” – John 15:1-2 NKJV
Let’s dive into a powerful analogy from the Bible about growth and productivity. In John 15:1-2, we see Jesus describing Himself as the true vine, God as the vinedresser (or gardener), and us as the branches.
Key Nouns:
- Vine
- Father
- Vinedresser
- Branch
- Fruit
Understanding Our Roles
God, our Heavenly Father, is the ultimate gardener of our lives. He created everything, including us. Genesis 1:1, 26-27 reminds us:
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth… Then God said, ’Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion… So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Jesus: The True Vine
Jesus is the true vine. Just as a vine gives life to its branches, Jesus gives life to us. He said in John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
We Are the Branches
We, you and I, are the branches. Jesus made this clear in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Staying connected to Jesus is crucial for our spiritual growth and productivity.
Bearing Fruit
Paul understood his connection to Jesus when he declared in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
As branches, our purpose is to bear fruit. But God doesn’t just want us to bear fruit; He wants us to bear more fruit.
The Pruning Process
This is where the concept of pruning comes in. To bear more fruit, we must undergo pruning, which can be a bit uncomfortable but is ultimately for our good. In Hebrews 4:12, the Bible says:
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The word of God is our pruning knife.
Ephesians 6:17 also says, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The Power of God’s Word
Psalm 19:7-10 beautifully describes the word of God:
- “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
- the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
- the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
- the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
- the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
- the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”
Prayer Time
Take a moment today and turn to Psalm 119 and pray together with the Psalmist.
Conclusion
Remember the words of Jesus in John 15:3: “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”
God, our Vinedresser, wants us to bear more fruit.
We are pruned and purified through His Word, ready to fulfil His will.
Stay connected to Jesus, the true Vine, and watch as you grow and bear abundant fruit.
Stay blessed, stay fruitful!