I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you. 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. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. 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. (Joh 15:1-6)
When the dead fruit of our lives is surrendered and forsaken, then His fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance will remain. When our righteousnesses, which are like filthy rags, are crucified, then His righteousness may bear fruit in us. When our goals and agenda are dead and buried, then He is lifted up and His Word is magnified above His Name and all men are drawn to Him that we, in His power, might win some.
Those that are in Christ are to remain in Him, not that we can lose what Christ has done, for we cannot be unborn-again any more than we can be unborn, but maintaining our spiritual life as fervently as we maintain, or even more so, our physical lives. We must feed on GOD's Word continuously by hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, meditating, and applying His Word, more than our necessary food. We ought to communicate with our Heavenly Father throughout the day and listen for His voice that we may follow His will. He will guide us into all Truth and direct our steps and light our path. We are to fellowship with others in GOD's Family in service, worship, and in love; edifying and encouraging one another to provoke unto love and good works.
Guided and empowered by the Spirit, knowing and doing the will of the Father, and taking the Word of Christ with us, we are to minister to all we encounter who are hurting and in need that they may see Jesus in us, the hope of Glory. We are to love one another, even as Christ loved us, and disciple one another in His Word that we may all grow into the full measure of Him. We are to take the whole Word to the whole world, that they that believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ, repenting of their sins, may receive His Good News and have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet