Our I Am the Vine coloring page is last in a 7-part series featuring the “I AM” statements of Christ. It is based on John 15:1-2. Here, Christ declares:
“I am the true vine and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.”
As usual, Jesus packs a wealth of meaning into His words. He talks about vines and branches, which is a reminder of our need to abide in Him.
If you want to bear fruit, you have to stay in the Vine.
- “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” (John 15:10)
- “Remain in me, as I also 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.” (John 15:4)
- “Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.” (1 John 2:6)
Jesus also talks about pruning–a necessary but ofttimes painful process.
If you want a big harvest, you’ll need to be pruned.
- “For before the harvest, when the bud has sprouted, and the ripening fruit appears, he will cut off the unproductive shoots with pruning knives; he will prune the tendrils.” (Isaiah 18:5)
- “So he said to the worker who tended the vineyard, ‘For three years now, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and each time I inspect it I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue to deplete the soil?'” (Luke 13:7)
- “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 3:10)
And finally, Jesus talks about fruitfulness.
If you want to bring God glory, your fruit must be good.
- “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” (John 15:8)
- A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Every tree is known by the fruit it bears; you do not pick figs from thorn bushes or gather grapes from bramble bushes.” (Luke 6:43-44)
- “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
This last point is so rich, I could write a whole book on it.
Oh, wait. I already did. 🙂 Allow me to introduce my brand new devotional journal, Blessed Assurance!
It is devoted entirely to the topic of fruitful living– 241 pages jam-packed with Bible verses, writing prompts, reading challenges, word studies, coloring pages, and some of the prettiest vintage artwork you’ve ever seen. Follow the link below for more information or to order your copy today.
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