--Do we truly know and believe that Jesus is the Christ, JESUS IS GOD~~

---Vital Connection or Casual Contact ~~

~~"I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing." -(John 15:5 /KJV )

--I have observed the pruning process in a local apple orchard. The workers examine the trees, cut off the undesirable branches, and place them in rows for easy removal from the orchard. After these branches are cut off, everyone knows that they will not bear any apples. Leaning them against a tree trunk or placing them in contact with other branches will be to no avail. There will be no fruit. I am reminded of a local man who likes to go to church and hear the preacher but hesitates to become a Christian, because he's afraid he won't measure up. He doesn't want to commit himself to something he is not sure is real. He hasn't been 'born again'.
--- [John 3:3,5,6] --

Going to church and being with other Christians can have positive influence, but that is not enough. We must each personally receive the free gift of forgiveness for our sins and become connected to the True Vine, Jesus. As a tree branch bears fruit by being a channel for nutrients flowing from the root, so we as Christians bear fruit by allowing the virtues of God to flow through our lives. We do this not so much for the efforts of our human will as by aligning ourselves with the will of God. The better our connection with God, the more abundant the fruit will be.

Bearing fruit has the implication of holding a product that grows, not creating something by our our own effort. So in the life of a Christian, it is God that gives the increase and blesses with spiritual fruit. Unlike branches, we have a choice between two things: being connected to the True Vine and destined to bear fruit for God's glory, or being cut off and destined to the flames of destruction. Our Lord leaves that choice to each person. Which way will you take?

--Close doesn't count. We need to be connected to the True Vine, Jesus.~
Jesus said, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" --[Matthew 16:24]

--'Beside Still Waters/DR
"Above All" // Michael W Smith (lyric video)//<https://youtu.be/Hns_ZtIPe1M>
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