12. The Fruit—

John 15:2 (NRSV) — 2b … Every branch that bears fruit he prunes 

to make it bear more fruit.

Let us specially beware of one great mistake. Many Christians think their own salvation is the first thing; their temporal life and prosperity, with the care of their family, the second; and what of time and interest is left may be devoted to fruit-bearing, to soul-saving. No wonder that in most cases very little time or interest can be found for presenting Jesus Christ to others. The one object with which you have been made a member of Christ's Body is that the Head may have you to carry out His saving work. The one object God had in making you a branch is that Christ may through you to bring life to men. Your personal salvation, your business and care for your family, are entirely subordinate to this. Your first aim in life, your first aim every day, should be to know how Christ desires to carry out His Purpose in you.

Let us begin to think as God thinks. Let us accept Christ's teaching and respond to it. The one object of my being a branch, the one mark of my being a true branch, the one condition of my abiding and growing strong, is that I bear the fruit of the Heavenly Vine for dying people to eat and live. And the one thing of which I can have the most perfect assurance is that, with Christ as my Vine, and the Father as my Vine-grower, I can indeed be a fruitful branch.