THE TRUE VINE
Jesus asserts in John,
"I am the True Vine;
My Father is the Vinedresser;
You are the branches."
A better understanding of Christ as the Vine, can be obtained from the acronym - VINE
V - Valiant for Christ
I - Integrated with Christ
N - Named by Christ
E - Encouraged by Christ
VALIANT FOR CHRIST
John 15 : 13 clearly states, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."
This means that we must stand up for Christ in every situation in life; even if it endangers our life.
Martin Luther was an example of one who stood up for Christ against powerful oppressors. The Pope had even issued orders to hunt and kill him!
INTEGRATED WITH CHRIST
According to John 15 : 5 - 6, we, humans (the branches) can bear fruit only if we abide in Christ (the Vine). For, when the branch is separated from the Vine, it withers.
Being born a Christian, is a mere biological accident! Integration with God is possible only if we strictly follow all the commands given in the Bible.
The Chief of an African jungle tribe, while visiting the West, was marvelled when he saw the refrigerator. Everything was so hot in his village & so taking a refrigerator back home with him would enable him to drink something chilled everyday, he thought. And so he did. But in his village, the refrigerator served as nothing more than an ornament, because in his place, there was no electricity for miles around!
NAMED BY GOD
Jesus Christ states in John 15 : 16, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit..."
Our God is a personal God. He is not just a powerful boss, but a loving father to us, too. He knows everyone of us, by name and has appointed us to serve him, even before the world was made!
ENCOURAGED BY GOD
John 15 also speaks about the persecution that follows every branch of the Vine. God's principles often conflict with man's ways and this causes a lot of resistance for believers in Christ to live in this world.
But Jesus reminds us of the ultimate benefit in "abiding in the Vine." He calls us His friends. He tells us to ask Him for help. And sometimes, He might prune the branches, in order that they bear more fruit!