In John Chapter 15, Jesus gives a parable about a vineyard.
He says that he is the true vine, the Father is the Farmer and his disciples are the branches.
Just as a branch cannot produce fruit without the vine neither can we produce fruit without Jesus Christ.
Every branch in Jesus Christ is pruned so that it will produce fruit. No fruit can be produced without pruning.
Pruning is a part of growing in the Lord. Pruning requires taking away the old so that the new will grow.
This process can be painful. We are set in our ways and don’t like change. But in order to produce Holy Spirit fruit in our lives we must yield to the pruning process. Out with the old man filled with dry old ways of doing things and yielding to the sharp pruning tools of the Father.
Jesus tells us to abide in him. Continue in his word which is able to make us into what the Lord wants us to be. Filled with Holy Spirit fruit!
Just as a vine cannot produce fruit by itself neither can we produce fruit without Jesus Christ.
If we continue in the Lord we will produce much fruit.
Pruning the vine every spring just before growth begins allows the branches to have enough air movement around them to reduce disease.
Heavy pruning of the vine provides the best fruit.
While pruning may be needed throughout the year, pruning is best done when the vine is dormant, just before growth begins in spring.
Dormancy is when the plant slows down. Its metabolism, energy consumption, and growth are at a slow pace.
Sometimes when we seem to be inactive, placed on the shelf, that is when the pruning happens. Our lives in a winter stage while seeming to be going no where are in reality being pruned.
Reflection. Repentance. Seeking the Lord. Searching for answers. Giving up of sin. Intense prayer. Dying to self.
The winter stage many times can be rough going but harsh winters with much pruning produce a great harvest of fruit.
In order for a grape vine to flourish it must have plenty of sun shine. In the same way we must have plenty of Holy Spirit saturation.
If a vine has little light it will eventually dry up and die.
In his presence is fullness of joy. We get inspired in God’s presence, strengthened and empowered.
Being in the sun reduces pest problems too. That old devil and his varmints hate the light. The more light the less devil problems.
The vine also needs plenty of water for the roots to grow and expand deep into the ground. The branches can’t produce a healthy life flow without plenty of the water.
Being watered with the word makes us grow in the Lord.
Without the water of the word our roots will shrivel and die or at the very least be stunted in growth.
Roots need to be soaked in water before planting. This is significant because a vine produces healthy branches only after a deep saturation.
The more of the word we are saturated in, the more we become grounded in the truth. It is hard to dig up deep rooted plants.
It is interesting to note that a grapevine needs some type of support system or the branches will trail along the ground. In the same way we need support to grow properly. Without proper support the Lord’s disciples will become bogged down, carrying a lot of burden.
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Another important factor in a healthy vineyard is to weed constantly. If weeds grow under the grape vine the soil temperature will stay cooler. This will delay growth.
The cares of this life if not dealt with will choke the branches from receiving life from the vine. We need to hoe out all those worldly cares and troubles. Being diligent to guard our hearts against anything that will clog up our spiritual life.
Jesus tells us that if we continue in him then we will be fruitful but if not then we will wither and possibly die.
A healthy branch abides in the vine and produces much fruit!
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:7-9
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