But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22-25.

The property that our home is on is a treasure trove of surprises. The Lord has revealed this to us, one by one, over the past 20+ years. Two years ago, He surprised me with two little greengage plum trees. I was so excited! They bear tiny green plums that are both sweet and tart. God’s version of sweet tarts ; ). On a stroll over our property a couple of weeks ago, I found that our plum trees had gotten a disease called black knot disease.

The only potential cure is cutting two inches below the disease on all the affected branches. The disease is running so rampant in our plum trees that we would have to cut off all their branches and dispose of them. A fruit-bearing branch will not remain. And there is no guarantee that they will survive. I feel so bad, but I am hoping they will make it.

Unfortunately, one season (last year) of not monitoring and caring for any fruit tree can result in absolute desolation.

God likens us to vines and trees in the scripture quite frequently. And there are some pretty vivid similarities. In John 15:1 Jesus refers to Himself as the vine and God as the vine dresser (the one who cares for the vine and it’s branches). “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser.” John 15:1

As a tree ages (even though it may be bearing fruit), if we prune it and trim back the branches, it promotes growth. Thus, there is more fruit and fruit-bearing branches. The tree doesn’t put all of it’s resources and energy into the actual branch. Instead, the energy/resources goes into producing fruit. “while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” John 15:2(b).

An undamaged branch that stays connected to the vine (no matter how old) will continue to be a fruit-bearing branch. “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,” Psalm 92:14.

A vine dresser cuts off diseased branches and disposes of them. That is the case with our trees. Thankfully, the end result is that all the other branches get stronger. The sick branches no longer take the energy of the tree and, therefore, it produces fruit on the healthy branches. “He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, ” John 15:2(a).”

As followers of Christ (the vine), God prunes us (the branches) just like the vine dresser does the vine. That causes us to be a fruit-bearing branch and to produce more fruit. God chastens/prunes us through trial, conviction (of His word, a sermon, or a revelation in prayer), the revealing of our sin to both us and others, or through the consequences of sin.

He doesn’t discipline/chasten/prune us in anger or as a form of punishment (Jesus took our punishment on the cross). God does this as correction because He loves us (His sons and daughters). He wants us to be a fruit-bearing branch. And, He wants to see us grow stronger so that we might bear more fruit. He is the a vine dresser. “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he love.” Hebrews 12:5-6.

We dispose of these diseased branches and throw them into the fire. Through disease (sin), they have no real connection to the vine. To ensure that the disease (sin) doesn’t spread, a vine dresser will cut off and destroy those branches. This is exactly what God does to those who are in sin and have no connection to Jesus.

When a vine or tree is extremely healthy, and a branch does not produce fruit, there is a barrier, such as disease or decay (sin), between the vine and the tree. Sin is a barrier between us and Christ. Only through accepting Him as our Savior and letting His life course through us, do we have full life. “I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.”—Galatians 2:20.

True, full life (Jesus) is inaccessible when a barrier (sin) exists. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” John 14:6.

Branches without barrier/sin stay connected to the vine/tree (Jesus). They become fruit-bearing branches. This is because they are connected to Jesus and their sin was forgiven at the cross. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:7.

To abide in Christ, His life has to course through us. The more we read the word, pray, seek Him, and fellowship with the other fruit-bearing branches, the stronger we get.

Psalm 1:1-3 is a picture of what staying filled with living water and abiding in Christ can look like. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers”. Psalm 1:3

Father, I pray that we would draw closer to you today. I ask that we would be filled with your life, Jesus. I pray that we would seek your face and bask in your presence. Lord, fill us with Living Water. This will strengthen us and we will be filled with good fruit, strong and unwithering. We will bring glory to you, God. Help each of us to be a fruit-bearing branch that yields an incredible, eternal crop.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. True, full and everlasting life await you and so does our Savior, who longs for a relationship with you. Please pray that prayer and once you have reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I would love to be in prayer for you.

Luv Ya!