John 15:1-7
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Today’s scriptures come from the Gospel of John: the Parable of the Vine. Jesus compared himself to the vine, people to the branches, and God to the gardener who takes care of the vineyard.
Since we are the branches, we need to know who the vine is and become one with him. By attaching ourselves to the Lord through faith, we will bear much fruit, prosper, and not be cut off.
Only branches attached to the vine can absorb water and nutrients and bear fruit. Water and nutrients won’t reach the branch if it is detached, so it will ultimately die. Dead branches are discarded and thrown into the fire. In this way, being separated from God and the Savior means death.
You can come to know the state of your own faith or the state of others you’re praying for when God shows you the fruit of a tree during your dreams or prayer. Some fruits are small, some are big, some become beautiful and luscious as they grow, and some fruits are ordinary even though they are large.
The Fruits of the Branches
What various kinds of fruit can we produce if we remain attached to the Lord? There are many. Spiritual cleanliness is one of them. You can make yourself clean by repenting of your sins, faults, and contradictions, and by living righteously. Living according to God’s Word is righteousness, and righteousness is also another kind of fruit.
Other examples of fruit are the following: peace; faithfulness; mercy; evangelism; teaching the gospel and managing lives; prayer and praise; giving glory to God; reflecting on the Word, realizing it, and taking action on it; overcoming difficulties and tribulation; rising up from adversity and trials, finding God’s Will, defeating demons and darkness; unity with the Holy Trinity, unity with the Savior; patience; wholesome thoughts and actions; restraining your tongue; saying good things in the midst of confusion; comforting and encouraging others during difficulties; solid faith; and acquiring knowledge through reading the Bible.
How to Be United with the Trinity
To be one with the Trinity and to unite with the one God sent, God’s Word must dwell in us. Through that Word, we can know about God and His Will; we can discern between good and evil; our faith can be firmly rooted; and the history of complete love can begin.
Becoming one with the Trinity and the Savior is resurrection–i.e., you will come to life. Therefore, with the Word, dwell in the Trinity and the Savior, and through that, receive from God whatever you ask for and whatever He gives. By being attached to the Trinity and the Lord, may you become living branches that bear numerous kinds of good fruit!
