THE TRUE VINE
John
15:5-8 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If
a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you
can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is
thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and
burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,
and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much
fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Dear soul, the character of a branch,
its strength, and the fruit it bears, depend entirely upon the Vine. And your
life as branch depends entirely upon your apprehension of what our Lord Jesus
is. Therefore never separate the two words: “I the Vine – you the Branch.” Your
life and strength and fruit depend upon what your Lord Jesus is! Therefore
worship and trust Him; let Him be your one desire and the one occupation of
your heart. And when you feel that you do not and cannot know Him aright, then
just remember it is part of His responsibility as Vine to make Himself known to
you. He does this not in thoughts and conceptions – no – but in a hidden growth
within the life that is humbly and restfully and entirely given up to wait on
Him. The Vine reveals itself within the branch; thence comes the growth and
fruit, Christ dwells and works within His branch; only be a branch, waiting on
Him to do all; He will be to thee the true Vine. The Father Himself, the divine
Husbandman, is able to make thee a branch worthy of the heavenly Vine. Thou shalt
not be disappointed.
The True Vine by Rev. Andrew Murray, pg. 35.
