Christians Are Branches

Jesus often used figures of speech to teach. By these narratives true to natural life he made his lessons understandable, and because they were simple, 'The common people heard him gladly."

On the eve of his betrayal Jesus gave the example of the vine and its branches (John 15:1-8). This beautiful imagery of Jesus sets forth in an allegory the intimate relationship between himself and his disciples.

Notice some lessons taught by Christ in this analogy. First, God is the owner of the vine. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman." Christ came into the world as the source of life. Branches can be united to God only through Jesus. The husbandman is the one who tends the vine. He cuts off the unfruitful branch and tends the fruitful branch that it may be more productive.

Second, the relationship between the vine and the branches is the same as the connection between Christ and each disciple. Jesus is the source of all life. The branches produce no fruit independent of the vine. Some have the mistaken idea that the many different religious groups in the world are the branches of the vine and that all of them together are the true church. The branches cannot refer to denominations for at least three reasons: (1) When Jesus said, "I am the vine," no denomination was in existence. Protestant denominationalism did not exist until some 1600 years after Christ. (2) It is contrary to nature that a single vine can produce different kinds of branches, each bearing a different kind of fruit. One branch of a vine does not produce pumpkins, another branch of the same vine grow watermelons, and another branch make grapes. (3) Christ used the personal pronouns ye and L He also said, "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch."

Third, one must be in Christ to bear fruit. Christ said, "Every branch in me...... He then added, "for without me, ye can do nothing." In this text Christ used the expression in me 6 times. This repetition teaches that men can produce fruit for God only when they are in Christ. Salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2: 1 0; Acts 4:12; Eph. 1:3). Salvation is only in Christ. We are baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27).

Fourth, the disciple must abide in Christ to maintain life and continue to bear fruit. Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." The consequences of failure to abide in Christ are not only fruitlessness but also removal: "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away .... If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." The dead branches are cut off, gathered up, and burned.

Fifth, one continues to abide in Christ, the spiritual vine, by continual obedience to his word. Jesus said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you ...... The apostle John told Christians how to remain in Christ: "If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father" (I John 2:24; 3:24; Col. 3:16).

Sixth, Christians glorify God by bearing fruit. "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." By abiding in Christ and faithfully living the Christian life, one can glorify God (Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 4:16). There is no happier, fuller, more abundant life than being a faithful child of God.