Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-05-04
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MAY 7.
Subject: The Vine and the Branches, John
xy., 1.12-Go1den Text, John xv., s.
Memory Verses, 8, documentary on
the Days Lesson.

| Subject: The Vine and the Branches, Jonn
xv., 1.12-Golden Text, John XIV, s.
Memory Verses, 8, documentary ON
the Days Lesson.
| I. The Importance of abiding in
Christ Tvs. 1-5). /. "I"-Jesus. "The
true vine" The true vine is Christ;
the living, abiding Christ, who repro
duces Himself in every true disciple.
"The husbandman." The owner Of the
vineyard, the original planter, posses.
sOr and cultivator of the vine. The
Saviour speaks of Himself as the sub.
ject of His Fathers care and cultiva-
ton.
.. every branch in Me-" Many are
supposed to be in the vine, according
to the opinions of men, who have no
root in the vine. Baptized, processing,
partially believing members may be
found in abundance. HE taketh
away" Removes, that the vine may
not be damaged in reputation, or the
world be imposed upon by empty pro-
fessors. "Bearcth fruit" The fruit of
the Spirit--love, joy, peace, etc. (Gal,
5:22 23). All manner Of good works.
"Purgeth it." Cleanseth and prunctl,
stripping it, as the huSbandman does,
of whatever is rank and luXuriant-a
process often painful, but no less need
full and beneficial than in the natural
husbandry. "More fruit" Everything
Is removed from the branch which
tends to divert the vital power from
the production of fruit. Christ cleans.
eth the soul. The object of all redemp-
tive work is in order that the soul may
bring forth more fruit.
r1pDn
der this discipline of pruning. Jesus
comforts them with the assurance that
they are bearing fruit, though they
need further cleansing i'll order that
they may bring forth more fruit.
"Through the word" You are already
cleanSed from past sin through your
acceptance OF and obedience to My
word. Tile word of God is the pruning
knife.
4. abide in Me- Hold fast faith
and a good conscience: let no trials
turn you aside from the truth. 1c
shall receive every help and influence
from Me that your souls can require
In order to preserve them ana save
them to eternal life. Il in YOU He
abdcS in them as the source OF spirit
ua life and fruitfulncSS, on condition
that they abide in Him by Il living,
obcdcnt faith. ChristS power, knoWI.
edge and love will fill the hearts and
lives of His people. "Ihc branch can
not etc. If the branch should be cut
off an instant it would become fruit
less. NO more can yc.' le must be
partakers of My divine nature, be wise
in My wisdom powerful in My might
and pure through My holiness. D.
"Much fruit" The desired end is Sc
cured. Teach Christ, live Christ, abide
in Christ and fruit is sure. without
Me-" Separated from Me. Without
CHRIST we can do nothing that will
please God.
III. The result of not abiding in
| Christ V. g.. Is. "If man abide not
in Me-" Whatever man may do to
merit salvation is worthless. Except
he be joined TO Christ hy abiding faith
and love, he is no moro Il child of God
than the dead branch is part of the
living vine. is withered.' Having
no heavenly uncton, no spiritual life,
he cannot bring forth mature fruit.
Though no mortal can discern the de-
feet the husbandman can. Men gath
cr them" Through the judgments OF
God they are separated from the fruit
bearing branches. "Buned.' Void Of
spiritual life the soul destroyed.
Ill blessings that come from abid-
ing in Christ Cys. !, 81. I. If yc
abide" Keep in constant communion
with Him. lean always on Him, make
| Him the fountain of life and strength
"My words abide" Words Of PROMISE
doctrine, precept. Keep My sayings
and preceptS. ASK what yc will"
Because this indWclling of His words
in them would secure the harmony or
! their askingS with the divine Will
Such will ask in submission to HIS
will. "Shall be done" The asking is
unlimited because the will OF the De.
lever will be in harmony with the Will
and purpose and love of Christ
s. "Hcrcin." In the abundance or
the fruit. "Fathcv gloriiied.' 1t is the
honor of God to have strong, vigorous,
holy children, perfectly filled with HIS
love. Christians are Gods representa-
tiyoS on earth. and therefore the larger
and moro perfect their success i'll saw
ing men from sin the more God IS hon
Oret. "Sn shall Ie he Nv dtscinleS.'
1t would seem that bearing fruit is
made hero Il test of dia"iplcShlp.
". rist'scommnndmcnt Tvs. DID.
o. AS the Father" etc. Our Lord
was conscious of being the object or
the Fathers infinite love: here He as
serts that His love to His disciples COR
responds with the eternal Fathers love
to himself. "Abidc yc' Or. W BE
settled and fully established i'll Christ,
being fully persuaded that nothing
shall be able to separate us from Ills
love (sec Rom. S:35-39. 10. IF yc
kecp-yc Shall abide This is the
method and secret, the stimulus, the
proof of abiding in the love of Christ.
The obedience here described is the
outcome of love- but the power is thus
gained 10 continue TO dwell in the dl-
vine love, to abide in the full enjoy
ment of il.
II. "Ny JOY might remain AL
though within few hours of the cross
Jesus speaks of His joy. "Joy-tull.'
The 10y of the Lord filing the Soul. A
ie,y so deep that no sorrow can disturb
It. Such Il condition of soul cannot be
described. it must he experienced to be
understood. II. MY commandment.
Here we have "A commandment OF mu-
tual love based upon His example OF
love" This commandment includes all
others. "As | have loved you Chrlst
is the only preacher who fully eNempll-
fled in His own life the perfection lie
preached The measure of our love for
tthcrs is His love for us.