Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-05-05
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MAY 7.

Subject: The Vine and the Branches Jonn
w., 1.12-Golden Text, John XVI o.
Memory Verses, s, documentary Oh
the Days Lesson.
I. The Importance of abiding in
Christ Tvs. 1-5). 1. "P"-Jesus. "Ihe
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. Inc
Saviour speaks of Himself as the sub
feet of His Fathers care and cultlva-
ton.
2. Every branch in Nc" 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 taketll
away" Removes, that the vine may
not be damaged in reputation, or the
world be imposed upon by empty pro-
fessors "Beareth fruit" The fruit Of
the Spirit-love, joy, peace, etc. (Gal.
6:22. 23). ALI manner Of good works.
"Purgeth it." Cleanseth and pruneth,
stripping it, as the husbandman does,
of whatever is rank and luxuriant-a
process often painful, but no less need
full and beneficial tnan 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.
3. NOW We are Clean" Ye are I'M
der this discipline of pruning. Jesus
comforts them with the assurance that
they are bearing fruit, though they
need further cleansing in 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. The 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. Ye
shall receive every help and influence
from Me that your souls can require
in order to preserve them and save
them to eternal life. II in YOU" He
abides in them as the source of spirit
ual life and fruitfulness, on condition
that they abide in Him by a living,
Obedient faith. Christs power, knOwl-
edge and love will fill the hearts and
lives Of His people. "The branch can
not" etc. If the branch should be cut
off an instant it would become fruit
less. mo more can ye." Ye must be
partakers Of My divine nature be wise
in My wisdom, powerful in My might
and pure through My holiness. 5.
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.
II. The result of not abiding in
Christ ". g.. 6. IF man abide not
in Me-" Whatever man may do to
merit salvation is worthless. Except
he be Joined to Christ by abiding faith
and love, he is no more child Of God
than the dead branch is part of the
living vine. us withered." Having
no heavenly JUNCTION, no spiritual life,
he cannot bring forth mature fruit.
Though no mortal can discern the de-
feet the husbandman can. "Men gath
er them" Through the judgments OF
God they are separated from the fruit
bearing branches. Burned" Void Of
spiritual life, the soul destroyed.
III. Blessings that come from abid-
ing in Christ Tvs. Z, 3. Z. IF ye
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 We will"
Because this indwelling of His words
in them would secure the harmony Of
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 be-
lever will be in harmony with the will
and purpose and love of Christ.
8. Herein" In the abundance Of
the fruit. Father glorlfed." 1t is the
honor of God to have strong, vigorous,
holy children, perfectly flied with His
love. Christians are Gods representa-
tives on earth, and therefore the larger
and more perfect their success in saw
ing men from sin the more God Is hon
Ored. $50 shall We be My disciples"
It would seem that bearing fruit is
made here test Of discipleship.
Nv. Christ's commandment Tvs. 9-12).
o. "As the Father" etc. Our Lord
was conscious Of being the object OF
the Fathers infinite love; here He as
serts that His love to His disciples cor
responds with the eternal Fathers love
to Himself. "Abide We" Or. w. Be
settled and fully established in Christ,
being fully persuaded that nothing
shall be able to separate us from His
love (see Rom. $500. 10. IF We
keep-ye 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 to continue to dwell in the d.
vine love, to abide in the full enjoy
ment of it.
II. "My joy might remain" AL.
though within few hours of the cross
Jesus speaks of His joy. Joyful"
The joy Of the Lord filling the soul. A
Joy so deep that no sorrow can disturb
1t. Such condition of soul cannot be
described; it must be 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. GAS have loved you" Christ
is the only preacher who fully exempli-
fed in His own life the perfection He
preached. The measure of our love for
others is His love for US