Fragrance of Faith

John 15:3-5

Since we have become part of the Body of Christ (the Vine), we have come into agreement with God to be pruned, and this continues until we are called home or until the return of Christ. Why is it important to abide in Christ?

Abide in Me

In verses three and four, Jesus tells the disciples the pruning has already begun because of the teachings He has given them. The pruning process started with them first. This was a pivotal moment for the disciples because Jesus laid the foundation for the early church after he sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. 

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 5:26, “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word.”

Quote from Commentary-From Tenney: “The means by which pruning or cleaning is done by way of the Word of God. It condemns sin, it inspires holiness, and it promotes growth. As Jesus applied the words God gave Him to the lives of the disciples, they underwent a pruning process that removed evil from them and conditioned them for further service.”

“Abide in me, and I in you.”

Jesus is reassuring; not only do they rest in Him, but He in Them. Indicating a neutral agreement and furthering agreement. The right to prune His people. Never departing from them spiritually. We must be willing to go through the process of pruning to grow in faith, removing anything that doesn’t reflect Him. The byproduct of this is Fruit (works) 

Reflection Question: What is faith to you?

Hebrews 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things we hope for, the evidence of things unseen.”

In Greek, the word faith is called pis’-tis, which means “a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor (intense and passionate feeling)  born of faith and conjoined with it.” Faith is knowing and trusting that God’s word is true. Knowing He upholds His promises and His timing is perfect. Having faith is the first thing we obtain when we choose Christ. It’s how we live out our Christian walk.  

When we open our hearts to God and let go of the burdens that hold us back, we invite Him to dwell within us. This beautiful invitation leads to a transformative experience that renews us from the inside out. Let’s embrace the deeper message Jesus shares, recognizing this powerful moment as a glimpse of the Holy Spirit, our divine helper, who will lovingly guide and support us on our spiritual journey. Together, we can celebrate the hope and joy that come from connecting with the divine!

The Season of the Vine- How it Bears Fruit

We are going to focus on the process of how the Vine grows to produce Fruit. After pruning, which occurs in winter, the plant undergoes intense growth. This involves cutting away anything that is not good for the plant, leaving only the stock. As a result, it requires a lot of work from the bud to grow and flourish. 

(reference the images of spring budding, followed by the spring green shoots, then the spring flowering) During early spring, buds begin to grow, eventually developing into new growth for the next season. Pruning activities must also continue during this season, though not as intensely as the winter pruning. This milder form of pruning is done only to ensure proper growth and maturity of the vine branch. By mid-spring, the breakthrough occurs when the leaves come to life. 

These images offer a beautiful insight: regardless of a tree’s appearance, it is always in a season. Like our Christian journey, we are always experiencing different seasons. That is why the Lord instructs us to always be prepared in and out of season, whether it be a season of peace or a season of waiting

When we look at it on a spiritual side, this is what I see. We have four phases we go through:

1. Season of breaking (pruning)
2. Season of growth (spring buds)
3. Season of installment (flowering and blossoming “works of the fruit”)
4. Season of reaping (harvest, reward)

We all go through this continuous cycle throughout our journey with Christ. 

Personal Reflection: What season do you find yourself in? Reflect throughout the week, and write it down. Find scripture to help support you in your season. What do you think your season is teaching you? It’s okay if you don’t know. Sometimes we don’t know until we come out of it and see what God was doing. Write down your thoughts, and next week, if you feel led to share, we will talk about it. 

Perfect Flower

The term “perfect flower” refers to a vine that doesn’t require external sources to nourish its Fruit. Instead, it relies on its own resources. This is similar to how God uses us to support and encourage each other, providing guidance and prayer when needed. 

It’s fascinating to think about how God’s plans are much more intricate than we can understand. Something that may seem simple to us at just a glance, like a vine, serves a complex purpose in His divine plan. 

The Fulfillment of His Word

John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him Lit this one bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

This verse emphasizes the significance of staying connected to Christ. Without Him, we are nothing; we can’t fulfill His will. Any fruit that grows without His influence is corrupted and useless, even if it appears attractive to the world. Such Fruit is merely a facade, as it is actually rotten on the inside. If we remain in Him, we can produce a dense and abundant fruit that is not only attractive on the outside but pure and wholesome on the inside. As a reminder, when in bloom, it’s not the one grape it produces; it is a cluster. This can only be accomplished with a connection with the Father.