The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 15:1-5, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit,

He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.

3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine,

so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for

apart from Me you can do nothing.”

When Jesus spoke to His disciples, he used illustrations from true life experiences. I think that’s what Evangelist Billy Sunday was thinking when he said, “Put the cookies on the lower shelf where everyone can reach them.” The Gospel is simple. It parallels those illustrations from life.

Those to whom Jesus spoke understood all about vineyards. The main part is the vine; the branches have to be connected to the vine or they will not produce grapes. Jesus is the Vine, and if we are to be productive physically or spiritually or commercially, we have to be connected with Him!

I’ve often heard it said that the “fruit” of which Jesus spoke were the lost souls that come to Him in saving faith. I tend to believe, however, that the “fruit” mentioned in this passage is our likeness to Christ Jesus Himself. “Abiding” means “to settle down and make your home in Him.” Anytime we live with someone, we unconsciously take on some of their characteristics. It may be how you pronounce certain words or how you fold a towel before hanging it up on a towel rack; but you learn these things from living with another person.

Notice the progression, too. Jesus spoke of “fruit,” “more fruit,” and “much fruit.” Newborn Christians often become discouraged at not immediately being able to be and do all they desire. But growth in everything takes time. I heard of a small boy telling his mother that he “was as tall as Goliath.” When she challenged him, saying that Goliath was nine feet and six inches tall, the boy replied, “But I made myself a yardstick and I measured myself, and I’m as tall as Goliath.”

The measure of our spiritual growth often takes time. After all, the more we depend on Jesus,

the faster and better we grow. Are you growing spiritually? Are you truly connected to Him, the Vine? “Apart from Me,” He says, “you can do nothing.” And nothing apart from Him glorifies God.

That’s really why we’re here! Let Him make some changes in your life. He has some ways of speeding up your spiritual growth process. I know that’s what you want.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”