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On a trip through Romania with some global workers, I learned that in the Romanian language there is only one word for vine or vines: vită de vie. The vine that is the source of life (vie).
In the Old Testament, the vine referred to God’s chosen race, the children of Abraham, the nation of Israel. He built His legacy on earth through this human lineage. Psalm 80:8 (NIV) says: “You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.”
Many vine verses detail pruning, how the ineffective dead branches are cut off and even burned up. The branches are individuals, created by God with a choice to remain connected to the vine through obedience or to willfully disconnect and lose life.
In John chapter 15, Jesus introduced Himself as the vine.
God appointed Jesus to bring life to the world. The pruning action talked about by prophets of old was still in place. Be nourished and bear fruit, branches, or be eliminated from the vine and die. Further, Jesus explained he has the life essence each branch needs, saving power and sanctifying love. He is the one true vine.
First, branches must believe Jesus is the one true vine that saves, justifies, sanctifies, and offers eternal life. That confession of faith joins branches to the vine.
Growing branches accept Christ’s undeserved grace flowing into them, transforming them, making them like the vine.
Abiding branches read and study the vine’s Word, to know Him and grow like Him.
Fruitful branches surrender to the love of the vine and desire to obey His commands.
Vibrant branches partake of the Lord’s Supper, demonstrating unity with the vine.
Productive branches pray regularly to engage in the work of the vine in the world.
Successful branches connect with other branches as the Church of the vine, worship and serve together, more accurately reflecting the whole nature of the vine to the world.
Stay close, branches, abide in the true vine, the only vine. Be nourished and fruitful. Enjoy abundant life. Live forever.
How are you abiding, receiving needed nourishment from your relationship with Christ? What is one thing you can do to draw closer?
Just recently I asked myself the same questions. I have typically been in group Bible Studies 2-3/year, even when living overseas, but lately have not found a good solution to this quest. On my own, I have set up studies, read books, but miss the sharing and digging deeper of a group. I am on the search again!