The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 15:5-8, “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.

6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them,

and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.

8 “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

Have you never heard someone say of a child “He’s the spittin’ image of his father”? or “She has her mother’s eyes! No doubt about it!” When words like these are heard, the hearts of parents swell with pride. All true and loving parents want their children to look and act like them!

Our verses above clearly state that Jesus is the vine and that we, who have believed in Him as our LORD and Savior, are the branches. But what is the “fruit”? It is clearly our likeness to Him. When we abide in Him, and allow Him to control our lives, His Life shows forth through us, just as the fruit blossoms and grows on the branches. But, without Christ in our lives, nothing of His likeness shows forth in us. There is no fruit forthcoming if the branches are not connected to the vine.

What happens to those not connected to Christ (the Vine)? They are judged as worthless and cast

into the fire and burned. Interestingly, the verse does not say that they are destroyed. The fires of

Hell burn, but they do not destroy. Hell is a dark and everlastingly painful arena. It knows no termination, nor do those who are their due to their unbelief.

Those who abide in Christ and allow His words and presence to control them, have the promise that their prayers and desires will be accomplished. This is easy to understand. When we are yielded to the LORD’s complete control, we will want precisely what He wants.

The magnificent conclusion is that God the Father is glorified when we look and act like Him; and we

depict His likeness when we prove to be His disciples. Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? It’s not where or whether you attend church; it’s not whether you’ve been baptized; it’s not how moral and wholesome a life you life. It’s whether you’re connected to the Vine! And you connect by repenting of

your sin and accepting Jesus as your LORD and Savior. If that is lacking in your life, take care of it today! I am praying for you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom