April 18, 2018 – John 15:1-2

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” John 15:1-2.

We are created to bear good fruit.  There is nothing so delectable and sweet than finding delicious ripe fruit to eat.  There is nothing as precious as seeing a child wanting to please his parents by obeying them. It is impossible to be good, to be obedient without belonging to the True Grapevine, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and the Holy Spirit.

What is the essence of the fruit will we bear in Jesus Christ? The Fruit of the Spirit is rooted in one word, Love.  When we love others freely, we see their hearts through the eyes of Jesus, not through the faulty, prejudiced vision of man.

How often I have read and contemplated these two verses of the Bible and measured my actions and words.  The more I think about these fruits, the more I desire to live these in Christ Jesus.

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. These words describe Jesus-Love and a standard of precious Love-Living for everyone who believes.  

When we hear the message of Jesus and follow Him, we begin a process of learning through Him, the essence of belonging to Him who purifies us through His message.  We are pruned of sin that so easily besets us.

There is no fear in God. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. I John 4:18.

“You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. ” John 15:3.