Let’s Stay Connected!

It is generally agreed that Christ’s discourse in John chapter 15 and 16 was at the close of the last supper. What He chose to discourse on, while it can be said was a sad occasion for one who was making His farewell, we can say it’s very pertinent to the present day that we live in.

In what way you might ask? Well, to begin with, there are four key words that Chapter 15 can be reduced to and they are (1) Fruit ver.1-8; (2) Love ver.9-17; (3) Hatred ver.18-25 and (4) The Comforter ver.26, 27.

It is noteworthy also that the word ‘fruit’ is mentioned approximately six times in the first eight verses of chapter 15, hence the focus of this theme, “Let’s stay connected.” Here is some of what is recorded:

“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….Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” (John 15: 2,4)

It would seem like a parable almost to have references being made in this way of humans to trees.

But herein lies the similarities to a natural tree, the branches and the results of the branches remaining on the tree.

We know from science and biology lessons that the root bears the tree and then diffuses its sap and its nourishment up to the branches for its flourishing until when the season comes that it bears its fruits.

We know also that once the branches are broken off for whatever reason, there is no way that they can continue to produce fruit and, the owner of that tree would at some point having no further use for the branch/es or assuming the entire tree, would cut them down and cast them both away to be burned.

The analogy and the inference here made is that similarly,  we are connected to God through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is that true vine (John 15:1) and He is pleased to speak of Himself in that way under low and humble comparisons.

He is not a spontaneous product planted in the earth but He is the Word made flesh. He is in fact the true vine – not by pretense or counterfeit. The fruit of the vine, being salvation and redemption of man to the ends of the earth, honors God while it is expected to cheer mankind. God the Father on the other hand is the Husbandman and we are likened to the branches.

We can, if we choose to, extend this simple analogy to us here in blogosphere, on social media, our workplace and so on and so forth. We use terms and terminologies such as blog community, tribe, network/ing, linkys, linky party, button share…

So you see, we don’t just produce good works, a great blog or have hundreds and thousands of followers. Our success and level of productivity are dependent upon who and what we are connected to.

We must be connected to something, or some person/s to have that rippling domino effect and to rank high in search engines such as Google.

Needless to say then, there are things that all of us, Christians especially must do on a daily basis in order to be fruitful. From a vine we look for grapes, but from a Christian believer or a child of God, we look for Christianity and the fruits of such a life – a Christlike temper and disposition. We must honor God, and do good, and this is bearing fruit as found here in Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit it is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Christ promises to reward everyone, the fruitful and faithful as well as the unfruitful and unbelieving (Romans 11:20). The doom of the unfruitful is that they are taken away. Christ intimated in His word of the many that “pass” for branches in Him but who yet do not bear fruit, being only tied to Him by the thread of an outward profession. And although they seem to be branches, they will soon be seen to be dry ones.

But to those that bear good fruit, even though there are times that you will be purged and pruned, a work of grace by the Husbandman Himself [God], the promise is that you shall bring forth even more fruits for His honor and His glory. Our further fruitfulness is the blessed reward of forward (continuous) fruitfulness. Our further benefit, we are made clean through the Word of God.

According to scripture, we are known by our fruits. Let us therefore endeavor to do good by all means and to stay connected to the true vine!

OVER TO YOU…

• Was this post helpful?
• In what way did you benefit from it?
• What measures do you take to ensure that you stay connected to the main source that you can produce the good fruit the scripture talks about?

Let’s hear your thoughts in the comment form below. Meanwhile, may your day be a spirit-filled and blessed one! Much love and thank you as always for your support and encouragement.