Previously in the gospel of John, Jesus has compared himself to things that were common to the people of his day. He is the good Shepherd, one who cares for his sheep. He is the bread of life, those that come to him shall never hunger. He is the light of the world, those that follow him shall no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
Grapevines were very common, and in Chapter 15 Jesus presents himself as the true vine, the Saviour, and those who believe in him are the branches. His Father in heaven is the husbandman, over all.
V2 "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit"
There are those who make false professions, but they bear no fruit, there is nothing about them that gives evidence that they are truly saved. These are taken away, either by apostasy or even by death.
On a grape vine, the branches are pruned every year so that they will bear more grapes. If they were allowed to grow freely, there would be very little fruit. Thus it is with Christians, we are chastened to bring forth more fruit. "The trial of your faith worketh patience." Hebrews 12:6 says "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." These trials are to bring us closer to the Lord. To rely on him to carry us through. With each trial we are strengthened and bear more fruit.
V5, 8 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.......Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
Christians can do nothing on their own. All that we are, all that we will ever be comes from the Lord as we abide in him. As soon as we try to do something on our own strength, we fail. And when we bear fruit, whether it be sharing the gospel, or witnessing to neighbours or those with whom we are given opportunity, the glory is not ours, the glory is Gods.
V12-13 "This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Again, this is not a romantic love. Christians are to serve one another, encourage one another, carry each other's burdens. The greatest love is that of laying down his life for his friends, and surely Christ laid down his life on the cross for all those who would be his.
V16-17 Here is the crux of the matter. Some people like to believe that they chose Jesus from their own free will, but V16 is truth of the matter. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.....These things I command you, that ye love one another."
Man is dead in sin, there is no life in him. Just as Lazarus could not raise himself, so man cannot believe on Jesus unless he is called by the Spirit, and given the gift of faith to believe. Then he receives Jesus as his Saviour. John 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Again Christ says that Christians should go and bear fruit. And this fruit is different for each Christian as each of us is different and have been given different gifts and abilities. The Lord will lead us into the work that we should do. We will have the desire, the opportunity, the ability to do it, and it will bear fruit. Next, Jesus commands Christians again to love one another. Perhaps the reason why this command is so oft repeated is because this love can only be given as the Christian is submitted to the Lord. This love cannot come from man apart from Christ.
Next post concerns the difficult words that the world will hate Christians just as they hate Christ.
________________________________
vcg
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your thoughts are welcomed..