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4. Be A Branch

"Be a Branch
Rest in the Vine"

Reading time 10 min 21 sec

As Paul said, 

• "I (spiritually) have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Jesus Who lives in me" (Gal 2:20). 

You, or anyone, can say that … all it takes is "whosoever believes" and takes the step of faith to be (spiritually) born again (a new babe for Father Who will help us to grow) *** 

The Benefits

• Rom 8:1 Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are (spiritually) in Christ Jesus, {who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.}
  
  
• Rom 8:2: For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.
  
  
• Rom 8:3 For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice],

So, as soon as any person understands that and believes and takes that step of faith, they become new spiritual creations, a child of God, and are cared for by Him; have the consciousness of that reality! 

ALL born-again believers are children of the Father AND, as Lord Jesus is in this world (1 John 4:17)… vessels for FATHER to do His will through and by us on earth. 

Note: It is NOT by might nor by power but by His Spirit (Zech 4:6)… we are only His vessels!  - So, no more fleshly striving is needed.

Baptism

This step of faith is available for anyone when they believe ....baptism .. be it in a river, a pond, a lake, a swimming pool, a bath ... or even under a shower. God knows their faith and sees them taking the step of faith! 

(The Greek word for baptism is "baptise", which literally means to "dip" or to "immerse".) … it is NOT being sprinkled with water – baptism is "washing away!"

• John 3:3 (plus 5 & 7) Jesus wants all people to know ... I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is (spiritually) born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. Which is then in you …
  
  
• Luke 17:21(Jesus said)… For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] {and} among you [surrounding you]…. NOW

Jesus showed the world how that could happen ... He came to John the Baptist and was fully immersed in the River Jordan. As He came up, He left "the old man" (the carpenter) spiritually behind in the water and was anointed with Father's Holy Spirit.

He was born again spiritually …. He now was empowered by Father's Holy Spirit!

• Acts 2:38 .. Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of {and} release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Being born again, as children of God, we have been spiritually cut off from the (worldly) "Adam Vine" by Father and grafted into the "True Vine" (Lord Jesus) so that moment by moment, we receive His life.

So, as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17). It is no longer us who live (spiritually) but Christ Jesus in us .. and He has overcome the world!

Spiritual Freedom

As God so greatly loved and deeply prized the world that He even gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16), His desire is for all people to realise that spiritual freedom is available.

As a person believes and gives thanks, the Holy Spirit covers, protects, guides and supplies all needs ... the person who takes that step of faith is, as mentioned above, spiritually engrafted into Christ Jesus by Father.

After He cuts us from the "Adam" (the worldly) vine ... the same as a twig is engrafted into a grapevine... 

• 2 Cor 5:17: Therefore if any person is [in-grafted in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh {and} new has come!   See also Gal 2:20 (the first paragraph above.)

• 2 Cor 5:16 Consequently, from now on, we estimate {and} regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value].

Christ Jesus explained it with this analogy. John 15:1 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.

John 15:2 ....He cleanses {and} repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, and to make it bear more {and} richer {and} more excellent fruit. .... (and 1 John 1:9 .. as we confess our sins, He will forgive us and cleanse us.)

• John 15:4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.

• John 15:5 ..... Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me], you can do nothing. 

God is love – genuine repentance can lead to "re-grafting" into the True Vine. 

BUT - 

• John 15:6 If a person does not dwell in Me, (nor repents) he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such (withered) branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. 

Rest in the Vine

Note: Father doesn't want people to strive and make a big effort to be Christians. All that is needed is to rest in the Vine .. to have a consciousness of being spiritually grafted into Him by Father ... waiting and expecting –

He is caring for you – and when you rest in the Vine, He will do His will through you … as a vessel of Father. Look around you at the trees, shrubs, and vines ... moment by moment, they are receiving all that is needed to grow and produce.

So, 1 John 4:17 In this [spiritual union and communion with Him (branches grafted into the Vine) – one with Christ] love is brought to completion {and} attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him].

Because as He is, so are we in this world .… moment by moment receiving all that He is and has (Christ in ... Christian), including the seeds of the fruit … cleansing, purifying, strengthening, equipping us, so that we can bear much fruit for Father's glory and use (John 15). The fruit being .. Gal 5:22-24.

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence).

Against such things, there is no law [that can bring a charge]. And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites {and} desires. 

• Prov 3:5 Lean on, trust in, {and} be confident in the Lord (grafted in) with all your heart {and} mind and do not rely on your own insight {or} understanding.

• Prov 3:6 In all your ways know, recognise, {and} acknowledge Him, and He will direct {and} make straight {and} plain your paths.

Grafted In

So, 1 John 4:17 In this [spiritual union and communion with Him (branches grafted into the Vine) – one with Christ] love is brought to completion {and} attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him].

Because as He is, so are we in this world .… moment by moment receiving all that He is and has (Christ in ... Christian), including the seeds of the fruit … cleansing, purifying, strengthening, equipping us, so that we can bear much fruit for Father's glory and use (John 15). The fruit being...

• Gal 5:22 -24: But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence).

• Against such things, there is no law [that can bring a charge]. And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites {and} desires. \

• Prov 3:5 Lean on, trust in, {and} be confident in the Lord (grafted in) with all your heart {and} mind and do not rely on your own insight {or} understanding.

• Prov 3:6 In all your ways know, recognise, {and} acknowledge Him, and He will direct {and} make straight {and} plain your paths.

So ...The success of your life, as a child of God, is in direct proportion to the consciousness of the living Christ, and the almighty power of God, that is in your heart." 

"Rest in Him every moment and "picture yourself" as a branch of the Vine constantly receiving from the Vine AND being continually cared for by Father, Who uses the fruit produced on us to achieve His will on earth as people are drawn by Him to turn to the Light and seek to be grafted into the Vine and receive all that Christ Jesus achieved for them at His crucifixion".  F J Heugal…

• Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],

• Luke 4:19 To proclaim the accepted {and} acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favours of God profusely abound].

God so Loved Us

Because God so loved us that He gave His Son as payment for all sin, He set ALL mankind's spirits free (Luke 4:18-19, John 19:30 – "It is finished!"), so all that mankind (any person) needs to do is turn to the Light and see what is available for EVERYONE … Father is waiting for their call … a simple "Help me!" is all He needs to hear. 

• 1 Cor 13:4 Love endures long {and} is patient and kind; love never is envious {nor} boils over with jealousy, is not boastful {or} vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

• 1 Cor 13:5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) {and} does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights {or} its own way, {for} it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy {or} fretful {or} resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. (… and forgives all who do that wrong.##)

• 1 Cor 13:6 It does not rejoice at injustice {and} unrighteousness, but rejoices when right {and} truth prevail.

• 1 Cor 13:7 Love bears up under anything {and} everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

• 1 Cor 13:8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled {and} pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed {and} cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

• Matt 6:14 -15 For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and wilful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and wilful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

• Romans 6:1-14 …(Amplified Bible): It adds "extras" to help today's people understand better - WOW!

• Rom 6:1 What shall we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God's grace (favour and mercy) may multiply {and} overflow?

• Rom 6:2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin ( …. after being fully immersion baptised) live in it any longer? (when Jesus came up from being immersed in the River Jordan, the Holy Spirit came down upon Him.)

• Rom 6:3 Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into His death?

• Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live {and} behave in newness of life.

• Rom 6:5 For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God].

• Rom 6:6 We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross (stake) with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective {and} inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin.

• Rom 6:7 For when a man dies, he is freed (loosed, delivered) from [the power of] sin [among men].

• Rom 6:8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

• Rom 6:9 Because we know that Christ (the Anointed One), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him.

• Rom 6:10 For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him].

• Rom 6:11 Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin {and} your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.
  

• Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings {and} be subject to its lusts {and} evil passions.

• Rom 6:13 Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer {and} yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness.

• Rom 6:14 For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favour and mercy].

Song by Jackie De Shannon

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It's the only thing that there's just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some, but for everyone.

Lord, we don't need another mountain
There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross
Enough to last 'til the end of time.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It's the only thing that there's just too little of.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some, but for everyone.

Lord, we don't need another meadow
There are cornfields and wheatfields enough to grow
There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine
Oh, listen, Lord, if you want to know.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It's the only thing that there's just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some, oh, but just for every, every, everyone.

Thank You, Lord Jesus!

Brian V McMichan 

Email mcmichanco@aussiebroadband.com.au  

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