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JESUS THE LIFE-GIVING VINE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
John 15:1-27

1 John 3:23-24

 

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches….”

 

JESUS THE LIFE-GIVING VINE
 
Jesus is the true life-giving Vine, and the Father is the Vine-dresser. The Vine has two types of branches: (1) fruitful branches which represent true believers, and (2) fruitless branches which represent false believers. True believers genuinely possess Christ and are born again. False believers on the other hand merely profess Christ but are spiritually dead (eg. Judas Iscariot). That was why James, having learnt from Jesus, said, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). A dead faith can produce no good works, but a lively faith which saves will lead to good works to the glory of God. False believers together with unbelievers will be cast into hell-fire on judgment day. It must be said that the salvation equation is not Faith + Works = Salvation, but Faith = Salvation + Works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith… it is the gift of God: Not of works…” (Eph 2:8-9).
 
The branch cannot produce fruit on its own. It must be attached to the Vine itself if it is to bring forth fruit. A person must “abide” (Greek meno, “I remain”) in Christ not only to receive but also manifest life. John echoed Jesus’ words, “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth (meno) in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth (meno) in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us” (1 John 3:23-24); “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth (meno) in him, and he in God” (1 John 4:15); “Let that therefore abide (meno) in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain (meno) in you, ye also shall continue (meno) in the Son, and in the Father” (1 John 2:24).
 
THOUGHT: Without Christ, I have no life.
PRAYER: “I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord.”

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