Bible Study January 9, 2024
John 15: 1 – 8 (LSB)
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-grower. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He cleans it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit from itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciple.”
One of the references Jesus made about the church is that it is the branches and He is the vine. Interesting to note from verse two. Even though the branch is in Him He continues to clean it, purifying it so that it will produce more fruit. The purification process is ongoing.
Abiding in Jesus is the key to producing fruit. How do we produce fruit as part of the vine? We do so by staying on the vine and we do that by staying close to the vine. We have two lilac bushes in our backyard along with two burning bushes. They need pruning. It seems strange that by cutting them back they will flourish but that is the case.
When God prunes us it is for our good that we may bloom more brightly where He has planted us. Sometimes it is unpleasant but it helps us grow and mature into the bloom He has for us.
Do not resist the pruning, it brings new life.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 