We Are the Branches of Jesus Christ!

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” – John 15:5,8 ESV

Jesus is NOT talking about eating-fruit; He is talking about the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which includes ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.’ (Galatians 5:22-23) Only way to produce much of these attributes is to REMAIN in Jesus, for the Holy Spirit is under the same trinity as Jesus who is an invisible image of God (Colossians 1:15) This means the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Lord – “… the Lord is the Spirit….. (2 Corinthians 3:17) – “God is spirit…..” (John 4:24)

If we want to be TRUE disciple/follower of Jesus and we know that we are the children of God, then we OUGHT to imitate Him in every way – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14) This is because if we know that we are children of God (see 1 John 3:1), then we have a GREAT commission to fulfill (see Matthew 28:18-20). However, we SHOULD influence others by showing the fruit of the Holy Spirit and becoming the light of Jesus – “I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you WON’T be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. 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! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:16-25) – "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill CANNOT be hidden, so let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven, for you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (Matthew 5:14,16, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:20)

Therefore, we MUST let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts with FULL-DEVOTION before the Lord, just like what Colossians 3:15 states – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

“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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, UNLESS you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does NOT abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” – John 15:1-8