The times-news., 1937-11-25

Profession Of faith in Christ
amounts to nothing unless it be
genuine. The branch that is SIM
ply tied on TO the vine must be
torn away and shaken into the
consuming fire. But in contrast
with the doom of the frultlcSS,
mark the duty and the privilege
Ot those who are united with
Christ. When we live in Christ
and his words form the furniture
of our lives, then our prayers will
be unfailingly cffcctual.
LIFE FOR CHRIST: FRUIT
(Verses SID
The Service of Christian Fruit
fulncSS is pictured in the fruit Of
the branches abiding in the vine.
Abundant fruit-bcarinG of course
delights the huSbandman. II car
ricS out his purpose. II expresses
his character. 1t honors his name
among men. Moreover, it is both
the test and the developer of true
diSciplcShip. Our love for God is
but a faint reflection of the love
of our Creator and Rcdccmcr for
us. The love Of Jesus for US was
cQualcd only by the infinite love
of the Father for the Son. Surely
we ought TO continue in his love.
Then we shall bear the fruit OF
obedience which will keep US with
i'm the sweep of Gods uncloudcd
love. If VIC follow the footsteps
Of Jesus and keep faith with him
We shall possess his JOY which Is
not in limited quantities. Who
can be content with gill when
he can have an ocean of Chris
tian joy?
LIFE WITH CHRIST: LOVE
(Versss l2-l6)
The Spirit of Christian Fruit
fulneSS is animated and rradlatcd
by love. There is the great COM
mandmcnt Of love. II is his own,
his great and inclusive mandate
to every one who accepts him as
Saviour and Lord. 1t summarizes
our manward duty: That yc love
one another" There is the exam
pie of love: "AS | have loved
YOU" He laid down his life for
us that we might have Iiic ctcr.
nally. There is the obedience OF
love, for our hearts tell us we
ought TO do the things which he
commands US to do. There is the
friendship of love since we have
i'm Christ the "fricnd that stick
eth closer than a brother There
is the knowledge Of love since he
has made known to Us all that he
heard from the Father. There is
the fruitfulncSS Of love, for our
Best Friend has chosen and APP
pointed and capacitatcd US TO
bear the good fruit that will
abide. Finally there is the reward
of love, for aS we fulfil our COM
pact of friendship with Christ we
are assured Of the blessings we
ask Of the Father in his name.
BEAR MUCH FRUIT
CD Bear Much Fruit from
Christ. IL am the true vine" lie
is the author of life. He is the
giycr of every good. Whatever
fruit we bear must be his more
than ours. He does infinitely more
than we to produce any crop OF
good deeds credited to us. Give
him the glory.
(2) Bear Much Fruit for the
Father. My father is the husband
man." He owns the universe which
he created. He is the proprietor
of the vineyard which he has
planted. He gives US a place in
sacred soil and connects us with
the source of life in the true
vine. He expects US to bear fruit.
May none Of US diSappoint him!
(3) Bear Much Fruit with 9th
crs aye are the branches Our
fellowship with others is due to
our fellowship with Christ. We
are related TO them because we
are related to him. We bear the
same fruit they do because all
alike draw their strength from
the Vine. What earthly associa-
tion is sweeter than fellowship in
fruit-bearing?
(4) Bear Much Fruit Through
Discipline. "Hc cleanseth it, that
it may bear Pruning may be
painful, but il is productive. Whcht
there is too much foliage, sorne
of the leaves must go, When there