One of Jesus’ most vivid metaphors is of a vine and branches found in John 15:1–11. Pastor Chuck Swindoll unfolds the symbolism of the Father as the vinedresser, Jesus as the sustaining vine, and believers as the branches.
Like the branch of a grapevine should bear grapes, a believer should bear the fruit of a Christlike character.
The garden in Scripture is a touchstone for numerous motifs and a picture of a richly nourished life. Next to heaven, it is the preeminent image of human longing.
We have come to the fourth and final mental picture—a productive vine—another vivid analogy preserved for us in the Word of God. In fact, this one comes to us from the lips of Jesus as He left His disciples words of encouragement just before He was crucified. They have been recorded for us in the 15th chapter of John, a chapter that centres attention on three vital relationships the Christian must maintain.
When you accept Christ as your Saviour you have someone who is always your advocate; always in your corner. And when you forgive those who hurt you, you model Christ. And you become a little more like Him.
We live in a world where the majority is heading the wrong way. As Christians we swim upstream, against the flow who are moving away from God.
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