Secrets of the Vine

or past few weeks I have been sharing a midweek study-prayer series with a small group entitled “Secrets of the Vine” written by Bruce Wilkinson. I thought as spring gave way to summer that this series based on John 15 (The Vine and the Branches) would be the perfect way to transition into the summer months when most people think about spending time in the backyard doing gardening. The context for the weekly messages is based on the night preceding the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus and his disciples have left the upper room and they are travelling uphill through covered terraces of grape vineyards towards Gethsemane. While in the vineyard Jesus likened himself to a vine and compared his followers to branches. The meaning behind the agricultural metaphor is crystal clear to every believer: Jesus is the source of all true life and nourishment. The only way for you and me to grow and be productive in our spiritual lives is stay daily connected to Him. In our study thus far, we have discovered two fascinating truths: First, “If your life consistently bears no fruit, God will intervene to discipline you”. Secondly, “If your life bears some fruit, God will intervene to prune you”. Let me develop these thoughts in following paragraphs. No one likes to hear or experience the word discipline. Truth be told, God disciplines those that He loves. Hebrews 12:6-7 says, “. . . For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.” God’s greatest desire for his children is that we will bear fruit for his kingdom and his glory. Fruit bearing is not possible without a life-sustaining connection to Jesus the true vine. If year after year in the garden of your soul, the soil produces nothing but thorns, thistles, and tumbleweed, God will intervene for His glory and our salvation to bring about growth and lifestyle of fruit-bearing. If left alone a grape vine will always prefer to grow leaves rather than fruit. An experienced vinedresser knows if left unattended the vine will be loaded with luxurious leaf growth, an impressive achievement, but up close an underwhelming harvest. To get more out of us, God will prune us for His glory. I have some experience in pruning plants and shrubs around the house, I sometimes cut too much, and the results are sometimes disastrous. I’m so glad that we don’t prune each other, but God is the pruner, He knows what must be removed in our lives for us to grow fruit for eternity. The principle of pruning invites a revealing question about our spiritual lives: Are we seeking to become more like Jesus? Have we truly given God permission to removes things in our lives that limit our ability to grow fruit for Jesus? Our series is not finished, and God is not finished with me either. Every day, God grants all of us another opportunity to live for Him and to share Him. My prayer is that we will allow God to discipline and prune us as He sees fit for His glory. My desire is to live my life in such a way that others see a joyful harvest in me because I have chosen to stay connected to the Vine. please edit