Notice the statement, "Until the heart is surrendered unconditionally to God, the human agent is not abiding in the True Vine. . . Let me repeat that, "Until the heart is surrendered unconditionally . . ."What does it mean to surrender unconditionally? It means to surrender without any reservations. "Until the heart is surrendered unconditionally to God, the human agent is not abiding in the True Vine, and cannot flourish in the Vine and bear rich clusters of fruit." There is only one way the human agent can do this, and that is by unconditionally surrendering to the Vine.
Let's think about this process for a moment. The fruit-bearing branch first receives purging. What is purging? It is when the branch is pruned. What do you think God uses for His pruning or purging process? Some people suggest that God uses trials. If that is the case, it would seem that some people are not being pruned very much. Some might suggest that the easy road is indicative of the pruning process or the lack thereof in lives of some individuals.
Pruning and God's Word
It is interesting that many Christians believe God uses the trial and tribulations that are allowed to come our way in the course of the pruning process. Being perfectly honest, most of us would agree. It may surprise you, then, to know that John 15:3 suggests something quite different. Before Jesus told His disciples about the necessity of abiding, He said, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." I am completely convinced that the Word of God, and the Word of God alone, is the knife that does the pruning--I am absolutely satisfied with this.
We may have trials and tribulations along the way, but these don't really bother us. The thing that bothers us about trials and tribulations is the solution the Word gives for them. Do you believe that?
Are you following me? You see, problems come our way, we search for the solution in the Word of God, and find a clear solution. Generally, that solution is "believe on Me," "Abide in Me,", "Trust Me". We don't like that solution because it's much easier to get along with ourselves if we do something. But where is our only source of strength? The Bible and what it reveals about Jesus Christ! This is the source of strength, but we look for it everywhere else. We go to Aunt Jenny and Uncle Tom. We go everywhere, we read everything, we try every possibility, to get this strength, except receiving it from the Vine. Why? Because we don't like the Vine's solution: drink deeper of the blood of Jesus Christ.
The Bible reveals only one thing: Jesus Christ and Him crucified. From Genesis to Revelation one story is repeated over and over again in multitudinous ways, and that is the life and vicarious death of
Jesus Christ for you and for me--That's the only story told in the Bible, and that story forms your life and mine. But it's not appealing because the branch cannot do anything except simply appreciate, rest in it and trust completely in it-that's all, and it's not very thrilling or glamorous, and it's not something you beat drums over. You simply rest and believe in it.
Wow!! What a study, I'm totally and completely undone! This is so overwhelming to me and yet it is so simple. We must study this until it is part of us, that's my feelings about it. Please let it soak in and become part of your life as I am going to do. Have a great study!!!! Grandma Joan
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