THE SECRET OF FRUITFULNESS

I am the Vine, you are the branches: He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears MUCH FRUIT; for without Me you can do nothing – John 15:5

The vine-and-branches concept of John 15 is a metaphor that is filled with parallels to our relationship with Christ. A branch grows through its connection with the vine, and we grow because of our relationship with Christ. A branch is nothing apart from the vine, and we can do nothing apart from Him. A branch draws strength from the vine, and we are strengthened through Him. A Christian is a fruit-bearing branch abiding in the Vine, “Christ”!

In this metaphor, Christ is the Vine and the Father is the vinedresser. He prunes the fruit-bearing branches to make them bear more fruit. He removes the fruitless branches, and they are burned. Through consistent pruning, the fruitfulness of the vine is increased. The branches that abide in the Vine – those who are truly in Christ – are blessed; they grow and bear fruit, and the Father lovingly nurtures them. This is a beautiful picture of the Christian life, which magnifies the blessings associated with abiding in Christ: salvation, fruitfulness, answered prayer, the abundant life, full joy, and security.

Unfruitfulness of a branch would be due to its disconnection from the vine, such that the fluid of life that flows from the vine to nourish and nurture the branch has ceased. Such a detached or disconnected branch will find it impossible to bear fruit, and further stands the risk of withering and dying off. Any branch that is connected and remains connected to the Source of Life – Jesus Christ – is destined to bear fruit in abundance.

The secret of fruitfulness is therefore your committed connection to Christ: absolute dependence on the One who infused your spirit with the drive to be fruitful (Gen.1:28). God plays a prominent role in the fruitfulness of His children. There is absolutely nothing you can achieve without His help and input. Remember He says, “Without Me you can do NOTHING” (Jh.15:5b). No amount of human effort would suffice if God is not involved. Fruitfulness for Christ is hinged on fellowship with Christ. Beloved, by all means, stay connected.