You do not plant a vineyard simply for the sake of growing vines.

One plants a vineyard with the hopeful intentions of producing fruit; much fruit.

The goal is not so see an overflow of green leaves or thick stems. The production of an abundance of good quality fruit is the objective for anyone who may feel compelled to plant a vineyard; just like God did.

John records in his gospel some of the most insightful teachings that Jesus shared with His disciples, and chapters 13-17 are packed with so many rich passages of truth. Sandwiched in the middle of those five chapters is chapter 15 where Jesus lays out this whole message of what it means to abide in Him.

“I am...the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” (15:1). The very mention of the fact that He is the ‘true’ vine tells me that there could very well be many ‘other vines’ out there. You know, sort of like how Paul warned that there would be other ‘Jesuses’ out there that people might easily be duped into following. (2 Cor. 11:2-4) Even Jesus Himself warned of ‘other Christs’’ appearing and deceiving many people prior to His return. (Matt. 24:5,23)

So how would you know? How would you know if you were truly rooted in Him, the true vine? Jesus does go on to say there that “I am the vine, you are the branches...” (15:5). Paul would later write that we are to be ‘rooted and built up in Him’. (Col 2:7)

But look closely here: Jesus clearly tells us how we can know, given that He makes it known that while He is the true vine, we (those who come to Jesus with their whole heart) are the branches. And He does not stop there...let’s read on: “He who abides in Me, and I in Him, - bears - much - fruit.”

Anyone who abides in Jesus is likened to a branch, rooted in Christ, and they will...bear ‘much fruit’. He leaves no room for discussion there either. And for the record, Jesus explains elsewhere that there are basically only two kinds of fruit – good fruit and bad fruit. That’s it. Fruit is either good fruit or bad fruit. (Matt. 7:17-20; 12:33)

Were you also aware that Jesus drew another line of distinction here? I would imagine that a lot of people would’ve been happier if this was not in the bible but I’m going to point it out anyway. “A good tree bears good fruit but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” (Matt. 7:17-18). Yeah, I know...that can mess with our theology for sure. And I may as well continue on with that next verse that Jesus made a point to include: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (19). Sounds like a similar message His cousin, John the Baptist, was preaching early on. (Matt. 3:10)

It would appear that fruit matters, good fruit, that is. Seems our curiosity would be peaked at this point and the next question we should be asking is ‘just how is this good fruit produced?’, if it really matters of course. And just like Jesus is so good about doing, He provides an answer to that question as well. “Abide in Me”, He tells us there in John 15:4.

“Abide in Me, and I in you, as the branch (us) cannot bear fruit of itself...UNLESS it abides in the vine. Neither can you (bear fruit) unless... you abide in Me.”

Has it ever occurred to you that we ‘believers’ spend more time discussing and debating what it means to be ‘saved’ and how does one get ‘saved’ and worrying over the question of are we really, truly ‘saved’? - when what we should be focusing more diligently on is whether or not we are abiding in Jesus. If you think for a moment that a person can be ‘saved’ and yet never have need to abide in Jesus...well, you might want to rethink your ‘theology’.

Jesus states rather emphatically there that whoever abides in Him will bear...’much fruit’. He also adds the disclaimer that ‘without Him, we can do nothing’. (15:5). If you are not abiding in Jesus, simply stated: No fruit is being produced. Period. You might have thick stems and an abundance of green leaves, but if you have no fruit, it profits you nothing. (1 Cor. 13:1-3)

And do you know what is done with branches that bear no fruit (because they are not abiding in Him)? Jesus said that “they... gather them and throw them into the fire and they are burned.” (6). When He says “they gather...”, who do you think ‘they’ are? You might make a quick visit over in Matt. 13:36-43 and read through there. This was where Jesus was explaining the parable of the wheat and tares being ‘gathered up’ and thrown into some ‘fire’.

You might also note, and even be compelled to point out that Jesus said that this would happen at “the end of this age’. Now one might be inclined to conclude that we are not there yet, at the ‘end of this age’, but Paul would suggest otherwise – (1 Cor. 10:11)

So – quick review here:

While there are other ‘vines’ out there it would seem there is only one ‘true vine’ and Jesus Is...that one true vine.

True followers of Jesus are ‘branches’ rooted in that vine and it will be apparent given they will be producing or bearing an abundance of good quality fruit. And once more, according to Jesus, you are either producing good fruit or bad fruit but one cannot produce both. His words, not mine. James addresses the same truth as well in his letter. (James 3:10-12)

Did you know this is how one truly brings glory to the Father in heaven? – by bearing much fruit? This is the mark of a true disciple, or one who follows Jesus with their whole heart. (John 15:8).

I don’t want to dampen anyone’s spirits, but I think we get a little misguided at times to think that things we do (as opposed to fruit that we bear) bring glory to God. We’ve all seen that athlete in front of the news cameras and microphones after leading their team from behind for a great victory, be quick to say: “I give all the glory to God”.

Really? Do we really believe God was behind that person’s display of athleticism to win a meaningless game given all the suffering and pain the world is in these days? I mean, what about players on that team that fell short and lost? Did God just ‘choose sides’ and show favor for one ‘child’ assuming there were believers on the other team as well?

I heard someone say years ago: “God does not share the stage with anyone.” That’s a good reminder to tuck away.

I understand the premise where people espouse that many are born with ‘God given talents’ and they should be used to ‘bring glory and honor to God’. I will sidestep that discussion for now, but simply say that making a three-pointer in overtime to win a game, or singing a beautiful song at church that makes people cry, or even taking a nice photograph of God’s creation, may in themselves produce smiles and good feelings and introduce God into the conversation. But Jesus reminds us that it is the bearing of ‘much fruit’ that glorifies the Father, and is the true marker of who the disciples of Jesus are. (John 15:8). “By this...will all men know that you are My disciples...by the love you have one for another.” (John 13:34-35)

NOT...by the car you drive, the clothes you wear, or the house you live in.

Abiding in Jesus is the essential key here to fruit production. Remember, He’s the one who produces it in us. No matter how hard a branch may try, it does not bear fruit in itself. Fruit is a byproduct of abiding in the vine. I cannot emphasize this enough. So now, turn over to Colossians and read where Paul writes: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him...rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith...” (2:6-7)

IF...we are truly ‘rooted in Him’...then we are to be ‘walking in Him’. Can you just camp out here for a moment and think about this? What does it mean to ‘walk IN Him’? Sounds similar to this idea of ‘abiding In Him’, does it not? If you really want to dive off into a good bible study on your own, begin exploring the idea of what it means to ‘walk with God’, like Enoch and Noah, and others did. That was their crowning testimony, it seems...how they ‘walked with God’.

Oh, and here’s one last nugget for today to chew on: Walking with, or ‘abiding’ in Jesus, is a choice. You don’t have to abide in Him nor walk with Him. But if you truly love Jesus with all your heart...can someone explain why ... they would not want to do that all the time? Walk with Him, that is? Our hearts have a way of betraying us. Jesus spoke to this idea of how many will ‘honor Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him’.

Think about that 14-year old who attends a local or State Fair with their family. Upon entry into the grounds with all the glitter of lights and sounds of rides and games and aroma of good foods being sold, a group of classmates meet you , beckoning you to join them as they roam together for the evening. Don’t read too much into this example thinking I am suggesting it is evil or ‘wrong’ for a 14 year old to join up with their classmates. We all ‘get that’. But how often do you think God invites us to ‘abide’ in or with Him...and we ‘run off’ to do our own thing because, after all...wherever our treasure is, that is where our heart will be as well. Friends...we may need to step back and examine our own hearts, once again. As my in-law has asked me repeatedly over the years: “How’s your walk?”

Best way to assess that is by examining what kind of fruit is being produced. Fruit matters.