By: Reverend J. Loren Russell
John 15:4-7 (NET)
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.”I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you.
The scripture suggests that staying connected to the vine is a choice. We first get the option to be connected by receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior, then we get the option to stay connected. The scripture further declares those who choose to stay connected will forever be connected to God the Father through Christ the Son. God (the vine) has never been guilty of disconnecting Himself from the branch; it is always the branch that chooses to disconnect from the vine.
Whenever anyone disconnects, their ability to bear fruit ends immediately. I’m sure they can still do good things, but they will not be able to bear the fruit Jesus talks about if they are not connected to the vine. The vine (Christ) is the source of life that produces salvific fruit that opens the portal to everlasting life in the kingdom of God. No one can produce that kind of fruit if they are disconnected from the vine.
Productive branches like productive Christians are cared for and nurtured. They are fed through the vine and pruned by the gardener so they can produce more fruit. The pruning process can be meticulous and painful because it requires cutting, snipping, clipping, and trimming. Pruning of Christian branches can come when leadership changes, ministries shift, finances are challenged, or people die. It’s at these critical times that the branch must stay connected to the vine. Pruning may result in the branch being cut back, but not cut off! The pruning process helps the branch reap a richer, more fruitful harvest.
When branches are connected to the vine, fire, rain, storms, or floods can delay, but not prevent a fruitful harvest. The text suggests that Christians connected to the vine will have the same results if they “ask for whatever [they] want, and it will be done for [them].”
A connected branch is a metaphor of a believer being connected to the vine. A fruit bearing Christian does the work of an evangelist by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and equipping the saints so that they too can have a fruitful ministry.
I want you to recognize that disconnected branches are cut off of the tree and burned. Disconnected Christians are like disconnected branches, cut off and burned. They are no longer fruitful for the body of Christ and no longer productive for the church.
When we are connected, Jesus makes us fruitful! Just as the vine nourishes the branches, Christ nourishes those who are connected to Him. Whatever you decide to do, decide to stay connected!
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of the Evangelical Church of God, both in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096) and is the producer and host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook Live. Be sure to ‘Friend’ the Matters of Faith YouTube Channel. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.
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