ABIDE IN THE TRUE VINE
"I am the TRUE VINE and my Father is the VINEDRESSER. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away and every branch that BEARS FRUIT. HE PRUNES, that it may BEAR MORE FRUIT." John 15:1&2 (NKJV)
Jesus is the one and only TRUE VINE. It is one of the most beautiful symbols in the Bible. The story is simple - the best FRUIT comes from the VINE if the VINEDRESSER (Gardener) looks after it.
The baskets are overflowing with GRACE, LOVE AND PEACE when the Father tends the fruit on His Vineyard - His Son and His Children. When we are cared for and we abide in the VINE - JESUS'S LOVE, we can share this fruits with others. The secret to "FRUIT BEARING" is to be free from anxiety - "LESS DOING AND MORE ABIDING."
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of FRUIT in our lives: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS and SELF CONTROL. There is no law against these things." Galatians 5:22&23 (NLT)
When Jesus told us this story, there were three secrets to Christian's FRUITFULNESS:
1. GARDENING & PRUNING
"God is our Gardener. Vines were abundant in Palestine. They were carefully pruned and produced sweet grapes. The Gardener trimmed the vines, so they could bear more fruit." Max Lucado
"You did not choose me, I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce FRUIT , FRUIT that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask in My Name. This is my command: LOVE EACH OTHER." John 15:16&17 (NCV)
Most of all the Gardener is GOOD. Pruning is so we can bear more fruit. It may seem harmful at times with "pain, sorrow, sickness, suffering, failure and disappointment". But it can help our fruit GROW and we will will be BLESSED. The purpose of pruning is develop a new, strong life.
"When the Lord initiates GROWTH he begins the PRUNING. PRUNING leads to CHANGING, ADJUSTING and GROWTH. We will do well with INSTRUCTION, DISCIPLINE and REBUILDING. We need to be PRUNED to bear more fruit." Chip Judd
2. ABIDING IN CHRIST
"Abide in Me and I IN YOU. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless IT ABIDES IN THE VINE, neither can you, unless you ABIDE IN ME." John 15:5 (NKJV)
When we ABIDE IN CHRIST we are developing a relationship and "closeness" with Jesus Himself. We must ABIDE WITH HIM by "spending time" with Him. We also need to WALK WITH HIM, READ HIS WORD AND FOLLOW HIM. We cant live "apart from Jesus", by ourselves. We need to ABIDE IN HIM always. He helps us put on our "new nature".
"First, your prayers will be answered, God will be glorified and your joy will be complete and overflowing. Lord thank you for calling me your FRIEND Help me to love others as you have loved me" Nicky Gumbel
"If you remain in me (ABIDE) and my words remain in You (ABIDE), ASK whatever you wish (desire), and it will be done for you. This is to my FATHER'S GLORY, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples......I have told you (spoken to), so that JOY may remain and that JOY may be complete (full)" John 15:7, 8 & 11 (NIV/NKJV)
3) SHARING TRUTH
"When the FRIEND (Helper) comes, whom I plan to send you from the Father comes - THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH - who proceeds from the Father, He will confirm (testify) everything about me. You, too, from your side, must give your CONFIRMING EVIDENCE bear witness) since you have been with Me from the start (beginning)." John 15:26 & 27 (MSG/NKJV)
I am a TRUTH CHASER - I want to SHARE THE TRUTH with others, as the HOLY SPIRIT enables me. I need to continue to GROW in my RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS as I study His Word and pray in the Spirit.
We always need TRUTH from Jesus, His Father and the Holy Spirt. As He said to His disciples He has sent the Holy Spirit to us, so we can share the truth about Him with the Church, and other people.
"But you shall receive power when the HOLY SPIRIT has come upon you; and you shall be WITNESSES TO ME in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
"The Holy Bible - New King James Version", 1982, Thomas Nelson
"The Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica
"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers
"The Message - The Bible in Contemporary Language", 1993, Eugene.H. Peterson, Tyndale House Publishers
"God is the Vine" (John 15), (2025), Jocelyn Soriono (Composer/Performer) ChristianMusic/ AlGenerated
"The Spirit of Truth (I Will Not Leave You as Orphans) (John 14), (2014/1982), Esther Mui ( (Composer/Performer), Thomas Nelson/Scripture in Song
GUMBEL, Nicky, "The Bible - Classic Version: How to Face Giant Problems", 2025, Alpha/You Version
LUCADO, Max, "The Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of Jesus", 2003, Thomas Nelson
JUDD, Chipp, "Healthy You", 2022, Messenger International
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