December 24 –Fruit Bearing Branches

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” – John 15:1 (ESV)
“I am the vine; you are the branches” John 15:5 (ESV)

 

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judah, He came for divine purposes which He lived out. This seventh metaphor is different. Jesus offers salvation and eternal life as the Bread, Light, Door, Shephard, Resurrection , Life, Only Way, Truth and Life; Now, as the Vine and we as His branches, Jesus focuses on the evidence of a responsible Christian life. Jesus uses the imagery of agricultural life; vines and vine crops.  He specifically identified Himself as the “true vine” and the Father as the “vinedresser” or caretaker of the vine. He identifies the professing Christian as the branches. However, not every branch is the same. The vine has two types of branches: 1) branches that bear fruit, and 2) branches that do not. The fruit bearing branches are genuine believers. This encompasses all believers down through the ages. The branches that don’t bear fruit only profess, and pretend to believe. The absence of fruit indicates salvation hasn’t taken place. The fakes receive no life from the vine. Their end is destruction, to be tossed, and burned. The fruit bearing branches are tended and cared for fed by the vine and are pruned so to bear more fruit.

  

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