Prepared For Fruit!

Prepared for Fruit!

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2 KJV

Context and Charge:

It is very important to define my location. My location defines my allocation. If God has made supply available in a particular place, it is very foolish to demand that supply from another place different from where God has put it. There is a vine from which supply for all branches are available. That vine is sufficient for all branches, but this is where there is a catch: branches in this vine have a role to play: to stay connected to the vine and take all nutrients provided, so they can bear fruit. This is where both the hard and the easy parts meet: God does not force a branch to remain in Him, but He can guarantee fruit for any branch which does. 

And then there's the flip side which is: if a branch does not bear fruit, it ends up disconnected from the vine. It does not matter how fresh it looks at the beginning; it will eventually rot. It is not enough to just look green; fruit is the output of the invisible input from the vine. How can anyone come to the vine for nourishment if there is no value available? This is why bearing fruit is the proof of discipleship, and why God takes very seriously the issue of not bearing fruit. Imagine that a branch once connected to a vine is now cut off, left to rot with its final use being fuel for the fire. Is that the best use of a life created by God?

Contention and Conclusion:

Is it not strange that the branch that is cut off due to fruitlessness was once attached to the vine. Never assume that because you can speak the 'christian' language or you understand the doctrines of the bible, you must be connected to the vine. This connection must be sure, certain and fixed, because eternity depends on it. When Jesus returns to take his church home, the criteria will not be language or influence, but connection and fruit. I must make sure that I constantly check that my connection is secure. 

And in that connection is also this reality: fruitfulness requires pruning or purging. There is always room for more fruit, unless you want to start dying. For all who submit, God will take them through a process that will guarantee even more fruit. Imagine a branch with fruit all year round, and you get the picture of what God can do with a life that is fully submitted to Him. The path and process to purging is painful, but the benefits are eternal. With purging comes even more fruit. Just leave your life in the hands of the One who can take care of both the earthly and the eternal. God's time of favour is here.