The Gardener, the Vine, and the Branch

The gardener plays an essential role in providing the necessary elements to develop a strong and healthy vine. Its main focus is to ensure that the vine can produce an exceedingly amount of fruit comes harvest time.  In addition to maintaining a good fertilization process, and having a good pesticide program, the most important process in reaping a great harvest is properly pruning the branches.  Cutting off the old unhealthy branches is critical to allow the growth of new fruit.  So, it is with God’s spiritual children, He is our gardener, Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches.  John 15:1-2 says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Definitely, there are things in our lives that do not bear fruit, and we tend to nurture it, as it prevents us from growing spiritually.  We need to allow God to cut those things out of our lives so we can reap a great harvest.  Amazingly enough, we try to this on our own strength, but fail miserably.  Furthermore, instead of cutting it off, we become more attached to it demonstrating that we are helpless.  This is why Jesus said in John 15:4-5, “Abide in me, and I will abide in you. Just as the branch cannot produce fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you abide in me and I abide in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

We ought to give God an opportunity to help us, as we all know, He wants to provide the very best for us.  If you make a choice today to release it to God and let Him cut off those unfruitful toxic things in your life, you will be amazed at what He can do.  Yes, it is difficult, but He is not asking YOU to do it yourself, He is asking to let Him prune you.  There is a condition to this, though, you must abide in Jesus, and you must be in His Word.  God’s words cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Do not allow your mind and thoughts to keep you in bondage.  In John 15:7 Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and MY Words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” 

What a great gardener we have to be willing to cleanse us and allow us to request our heart’s desires.  How can this be compared to the things of this world there is just no comparison.

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