John 15:1-5: I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear 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. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Yes, please! To bear much fruit— that’s my desire, but note the context! Jesus is the true vine, the Father is the vinedresser, and we are the branches— extensions of Jesus. “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). Branches that aren’t producing are removed. Branches that are bearing fruit are pruned to be more fruitful. This IS sanctification! We can’t abide in Jesus and stay the same.
God’s way is better! His way is freedom! Life! Joy! Abundance! Why do we stay in the dungeon of our own sin when he has swung the door wide open and set us free? We must take a step out and continue in his steps, following him, chasing after him. Chasing… perhaps that isn’t the right word choice. We’re not playing tag with God… He isn’t out of reach. He lets us catch up to him. It’s more like God is pursuing us… like the hound of heaven.
“As the hound follows the hare, never ceasing in its running, ever drawing nearer in the chase, with unhurrying and unperturbed pace, so does God follow the fleeing soul by His Divine grace.”1
This is no high-speed dangerous chase after a criminal. It’s a perfect and merciful Father running out to meet his son who has finally come to his senses, who is at last coming back home 2. This prodigal humbly hopes to be a servant in his father’s house, but he is a son and therefore free.
John 8:31–36: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
How are people ever to know and experience the abundant life you’ve called us to if we’re cut off from you, claiming your name but not abiding in your presence? Search our hearts, reveal our sin, and let us produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
Matthew 3:8: Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
