“Do not look upon me, because I am dark, Because the sun has tanned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me the keeper of the vineyards, But my own vineyard I have not kept.”
Song of Songs 1:6
In John chapter 15 Jesus gives us the blueprint of a fruitful vineyard. He said He is the True Vine, God is the Vinedresser and we are the branches. Then He proceeds to state the responsibility of each party in keeping the vineyard. Let's look at them.
1. Responsibility of Jesus as the True Vine:
Just like a branch cannot exist talk less bear fruit without the vine, we exist in God because of Jesus. He is the source and sustainer of eternal life which we received at salvation and it is this empowers us to bear fruit.
2. The Responsibilities of God as the Vinedresser:
The Father is the One working on us to bring forth good works (fruits) for his glory. Jesus lists the responsibilities of God as the Vinedresser in verse 2. First to the branches that don't have fruit and to those that do have.
i. To the branches that bear no fruit:
We often read in verse 2 that He takes away branches that don't bear fruit. But the word translated to take away or cut off also means to raise, prop up or elevate. It correlates with how vines are cultivated.
When farmers notice vine branches that are starting to grow and mature but are not bearing fruit, they stake and support them. This is so they can access more sunlight and air. The reason is that when some vines don't bear fruit it's because they are expending energy trying to stay upright or access enough resources. Therefore, they are not focused on producing fruit but on survival.
This represents believers that are not grounded in righteousness and the finished works of Christ. Believers that are probably still being hindered by habits and sins. The Father positions such people to receive more light from His word and reveals to them the liberty they have in Christ.
ii. To the branches bearing fruit:
Vines that are very fruitful if not pruned every year begin to use nutrients meant for fruit bearing to produce beautiful luxurious leaves. But vines are cultivated for fruit and not leaves. So in pruning, God takes away things that are lawful but not beneficial. Things that do not necessarily harm us but compete with His plans and purposes for us.
3. Our responsibilities as branches:
Jesus says in verse 3 that because of our connection to Him, His words to us, we are already clean. Already healthy, capable of producing much fruit. It is our responsibility to stay healthy, however. He says in verses 4,5 and 7 that our responsibility in keeping our vineyards is to abide in Him and let His word abide in us. To abide in Him is to tarry with Him in prayer. To abide in His word is to give attention to reading, studying, meditating on, and obeying His word.
A neglected vineyard is often over time overrun by weeds (thorns). In Matthew 13:22 Jesus said about the seed that fell among thorns:
“...he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”
Our prayers weed out the cares of this world that compete with the word in our hearts. It's why Philippians 4:6-7 says peace is the product of prayer.
The word however according to Colossians 3 and Hebrews 4 is effective in building character and helping us discern and cut away ideologies that are not of God. This will enable us to remain sanctified.
We know the other two parties in this equation will unceasingly do their part, so if we don't bear fruit, it's because we've neglected ours. Jesus says in verse 6 that branches that don't bear fruit will be cast off. Well, not because God gives up on us, but because neglected branches become diseased, gradually wither, lose their connection to the Vine and eventually fall off.
When we read further down in John 15, Jesus says the fruits of abiding are love and joy. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the remaining fruits:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
These fruits are both products and indications of a well-tended vineyard. So to know the state of our vines, we must look out for these fruits.
PRAY WITH ME:
Thank you Father God and thank you Jesus for your continual work in my life. I recommit myself to labor hard in the word and prayer to keep my vineyard so that I may bear fruit that glorifies you. Amen.
REFLECT AND ACT:
- Considering the fruits of the Spirit, how well-kept is your vineyard? Note which fruits are evident and which ones are not.
- How much time do you give to the word and spend with Jesus in prayer daily?
- How can you give more attention to them?
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