The Manifest Son
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In John 15, verse 1, Jesus says “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” One of the definitions of husbandman is master of a family. In verse 2, Jesus delineates between two different types of people who are of His body - describing them as branches. “Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” Jesus, as the True Vine, is the life source for those that are of His body. The Father is the overseer and takes away those who do not bear fruit. He purges (chastens) those who bear fruit that they may bring forth more fruit. “For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? (Hebrews 12:6-7)
Verse 4 - “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me”. Those that bear righteous fruit do so because they stay connected to the true vine. They receive of His life, progressively being changed from their former selves to become more and more like their Lord. These walk after the Spirit and seek to know their Lord.
It is quite the opposite with those who bear no fruit. These choose to walk after the flesh. Since every seed produces after its own kind, the flesh produces carnal fruit in rebellion to God. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:17)”For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would.” (Galatians 5:17) “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:6)
“I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) In this verse, Jesus reveals another type of branch - one that abides in Him and He in them. These are they that hear the knock at the door of the soul and invite Jesus in. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) This is Christ in you, the hope of glory. “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27) “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) These are mature believers who have allowed Jesus to be Lord and have His way in them that they may exude the glory of the Lord and bring forth much fruit.
There is yet another type of branch not mentioned in John 15, but elsewhere in the word of God. These are the manifest sons of God. “For the earnest expectation of creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:19) The manifest sons of God are those few that continue to allow the Lord to scourge them to the point where they are crucified with Him. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) These have been brought to the end of themselves, raised up in the power of His resurrection, and know Him. They are His image and reflection. They enter into His rest and cease from their own works. They are now seated in heavenly places and are conduits between heaven and earth. Through them the Lord works, speaks, and manifests His glory in the earth. The God given potential that we all have as believers is staggering. “But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.” (I Corinthians 2:9)
We can only know truth as it is revealed to us by the Spirit of Truth - the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us into all the truth. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.” However, most of the church, over 90% in my estimation, do not have ears to hear what the Spirit says because they walk after the flesh and not after the Spirit. “Enter you in at the strait (small) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
There are two paths in the kingdom of God. There are two churches as well. The Bride church consists of the few who walk after the Spirit as they are led along the way that leads to life. The Harlot church consists of the many that walk after the flesh. They do what is right in their own eyes as they walk the broad path that leads to destruction. “There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) The Lord is merciful and desires that none should perish, so there is always opportunity to repent before the end of days. But unless those who walk after the flesh repent, they will be cast from the presence of the Lord forever.
My heart's desire is to minister and teach that which has been revealed to me by the Holy Spirit. I desire to be used by the Lord to help set the captives free and lead many to righteousness. If this article has stirred your heart, I invite you to continue reading the other articles and Scripture studies throughout this website. Above all, seek the Lord with all your heart, for He alone is the source of truth and life.
You will not find any fees, subscriptions, things for sale, or pleas for financial support. The Lord supplies all my needs. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) I desire to “feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.” (I Peter 5:2-3)
May God enlighten the eyes of your understanding. “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18) May God richly bless you.
Bob
