John 15: 5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.”
Jesus taught His disciples that remaining in connection to Him is the only way to produce the fruit God intends in this life. This means a life of continuous faith and trust in Jesus Christ in every aspect of life. The vine was a common symbol for the nation of Israel, the covenant people of God. (Psalm 80:9–16; Isaiah. 5:1–7; 27:2ff.; Jeremiah. 2:21; 12:10ff.; Ezekiel 15:1–8; 17:1–21; 19:10–14; Hosea. 10:1–2).
Interestingly most often this is referred to Israel’s failure to produce good fruit and corresponding threat to God’s judgment. Jesus as the “True vine” is the One whom the nation of Israel pointed that brings forth good fruit. The fruit that is produced is obedient faith in union with Christ Jesus is to the Father’s glory. Thus, if one wants to live out the life God created him or her to live, it is found only in union and connection with Jesus Christ.
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