RPG Adults
YE ARE THE BRANCHES (II)
MONDAY, AUGUST 7
John 15:1-17
John 15:8
“Herein is my Father glorified,
that ye bear much fruit.”
YE ARE THE BRANCHES (II)
(b) Fruitless Branches: Jesus says, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away.” This is for those who believe in the Name of the Lord Jesus but do not submit to Him and His Word. They are professing Christians but not born-again yet like Judas Iscariot. They claim to be serving the Lord, preaching the Bible, and even performing “miracles, signs and wonders” in Jesus’ Name, but what they have done is according to their own will, ways and terms. They pray God to bless their own plans but have never waited for nor submitted to God’s will or God’s Word. They may be proud of the fruit of their labour. But is it true fruit from the Lord? In the end, they will be rejected (Matt 7:21- 23).
(c) Fruitful Branches: Jesus says, “every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit…He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” This refers to truly born-again Christians whom the Lord has chosen. They do thirst for the Lord and God’s Word and have vital fellowship with Him. They not only trust in and depend on the Lord but also submit to Him, realising that without Him they cannot do anything acceptable unto the Lord nor bear any true fruit. Thank God for His true spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Gal 5:22-23), goodness, righteousness, truth (Eph 5:9), obedience, holiness and Christ-like life (Rom 6:16-22; 8:29).
We only glorify God by bearing much fruit, and because of this our Heavenly Father has to prune and purge unnecessary twigs and leaves. Thank God for His chastisement through which we may become more humble, teachable, and submissive to the Lord and His Word and through which we may bear more fruit. It is comforting to know that when the branch is pruned, the Vine also suffers the pain! Our Lord is touched with the feeling of our infirmities!
THOUGHT: God is only satisfied and glorified when we bear much fruit.
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for Thy chastisement and Thy loving care.