Evening star., 1925-01-31
Sunday School Lesson

In the developing of the vine the
husbandman uses only one tool, the
knife with which he prunes the vine,
cutting off all that is dead. IF man
abide not in me he is cast forth as
branch and is withered." This warn
ing contains a wholesome lesson. 1t
teaches clearly that there are two
kinds of branches. One of which is
dead and fruitless, which is finally
to be taken away" cast out" and
burned" There has been consider
able discussion as to who is repre-
sented by the ''fruitless vines" Some
insist that they represent the hypo-
critics, who never had any vital unity
with Jesus. Others claim that they
are professors, or nominal Christians,
who have professed, but never have
possessed any spiritual life. Our re-
lation to the Lord is voluntary one.
If we cease to abide in Him It is a
matter of our own decision. Failure
to dwell deep in His word, love and
life would indicate that one may have
been grated into the vine, but failed
to become permanently attached to
Him. The fruitless ones are bly,
the stony ground hearers" The
mission of the vine is to bear fruit
1t is almost Valueless as fuel. If the
husbandman did not prune the vine
The self denial and sacrificiaI serv-
Ice that Jesus requires of all His
followers is one way that the pruning
is carried on, so that we can grow in
grace and in the knowledge of our
Lord. The Master informed them
that the husbandman had Topped the
wild branches of their earthly hopes.
smitten them with sorrow at the
thought of His departure. and cut
them deeply by exposing and cutting
their pride back into humility" They
had experienced through the word
the benefits of the pruning knife.
Peter suffered it when Jesus told
him that he would deny Him thrice.
and his heart was heavy that night
when he was left alone to his weak
ness after he had denied the Lord
and looked into His eyes of love, as
he went out alone to pace the streets
of Jerusalem in the darkness The
pruning experience removes the ex-
cess growth OF the natural man SO
that there will remain only that
which will turn the sap that comes
from the vine into the fruits of a
character like Christ Being one with
Him, we are to become like Him in
all things.
Spiritual Service.
The vine exists for fruit bearing
The Christian lives that he may re-
veal by his development of his life
in Christ the fruits of the spirit. We
can not dwell deep in the Lord with
out growing in the things of the
| Spirit. The first evidence of spirit
ual progress will be revealed in ones
love for others, who love Christ
Jesus. By obeying Him we prove
our loyalty to Christ. If we keeI
His commandments we shall abide in
His love" which will enable US tc
uplock the gates of heavenly bless
ings through prayer.
Every one who lives in Christ
gloriIes the Father through bearing
much fruit. The development Of ones
spiritual life through service is seen
in the fruitage of spirituality in ones
life. Christian service develops dis
tinctively Christ-like qualities. THE
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace
long suffering, kindness, goodness
faithfulness, meekness and temper
ance." 'If we live by the Spirit, we
walk in the Spirit which gives
power to our efforts to win others
The character of every Christian is
the potent factor in their success in
service. What we are speaks louder
| than what we say to men.
Although Christ honors us with His
friendship and opens up His heart tC
us He would rather see his vines
| bleed than see them barren" He
counts on our obedience. He has
selected US to be His friends so that
through us He could secure perma-
nent results from our service. If we
follow His footsteps, do His will
abide in His word, keep faith with
| Him, then we shall glorify the Father
and in return be filled with the joy:
| of the Christian life. Our service
| for others and work for Gods glory
returns to us. just as the return tide
| of aerated element from the leave:
| helps build up the central stock OF
| the vine. We grow by helping ex-
| pand the power of Christ and Hi!
| church. Our life comes from Him. j
| is our mission to pass on our knowl
edge Of Him and His life to others
| for His life is the light of the world
| All who lose themselves in His serv.
| ice and in Him viii glorify the Father
and bear much fruit a result ot
| their dwelling deep in Him.