THE VINE by J. H. Durland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1877

THE VINE.

By J. H. Durland

“I AM the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” In these words our Saviour illustrates by a forcible figure the intimate relationship which exists between himself and his disciples. We see the natural vine send forth its branches, we watch the growth of these branches as they send out their leaves and finally put forth fruit. So it is with the child of God. His growth is gradual. But if we are of Christ, we shall bear fruit, because he says, “He that abideth in me, the same bringeth forth much fruit.”

What is it to bear fruit? This subject is made plain in that great store-house of knowledge, the Bible. We turn to Gal. 5: 22, and read, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.” What a thorough work this brings to view! Are we, who expect soon to see our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ appear in the heavens, bearing this fruit? What if we are not bringing forth this fruit? Let the Saviour answer: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away.” “And men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” Solemn thought! Should we not examine ourselves to see if we possess the true characteristics of the fruit-bearing branch?

Reader, how are you progressing? Are you bringing forth fruit? If not, you cannot expect a place in the great vineyard,—Christ’s kingdom; for none of the branches will be preserved but the fruit-bearing ones. Am I one of these branches? Dear friend, are you one of them? What if we should not be? We know the consequences. A rich, showy foliage will not answer; an outside appearance will do to deceive the world, but you cannot deceive God. It is the heart-work that will stand before the great Judge.

J. H. Durland.