Several weeks back we visited our favorite Chapin Winery in Temecula, then in the midst of pruning. The long branches, accurately called canes, that produce the grapes had been cut back to the spur buds on the laterals, or cordons, that grow horizontally. But some long canes remained, seemingly at random, and we puzzled about the purpose. Then last Sunday we figured much of it out. Most of the long canes were now gone, and we first noticed some beige plastic tubes laying on the ground. Then some newly planted vines grabbed our attention, some with those plastic tubes on their thin trunks. But a lot of the previous vines had been removed. You can see the empty spaces in the picture above.
Today at the winery, Le Roy explained why. Vintners keep track of how well each vine produces, and ones that aren’t fruitful enough get replanted. Or more accurately, the unfruitful vine gets ripped out and replaced with a new vine. Not good for the old vine, but better for the winemaker to have more grapes. Or, the plant may have an infection which can spread and ruin more vines. Read Jesus’ take on the process.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful…Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned… This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:1-8).
Strong words. The mark of genuine disciples: bear fruit. The consequences of not bearing fruit, or of endangering healthy vines? God cuts us off. But what does it mean to “produce fruit?” Look at these areas.
1. Are you growing in spiritual maturity? Do you sin less than a year ago? Do you sense the continual presence of God with you?
2. Do you experience the fruit of the Spirit in your life in increasing amounts, especially as you interact with others? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, from Galatians 5:22-23.
3. If the fruit apple trees is apples, then followers of Jesus need some fruit in other followers. We call that ministry. Evangelism. Helping others grow. Investing in spiritual impact.
Kick Starting the Application
Do you have some unfruitful areas of your life that needs pruning? Are you willing to let God prune those? Look at those three signs of fruitfulness—how are you doing? Where can you produce more fruit? Realize this is not a competition with others, but a time for each of us to find areas we personally can grow in.