The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 280

that of p1Uonts tmd children. The children mn.y lenve the parents nnd form other con- nections, and still go on in prospe~ity. Bu~ this can never he.ppen with regar<l to the vine nod the branches. 8uch 1s the nmon between Obrist and believers. It is so near that they are ever in him and he in them, imparlin~ to them his !1Tnce and Spirit in a continual flow, 11nd through them carries on his grand purposes or°love and salvation. II. IN ITS IMPORTANCE. This will appear if we consider : 1. That this union is essen- tial ta fruit-bearing. "As the bre.ncb cannot bear fruit, except it abide," etc.; "With- out me ye can do nothing." (1) 'l.'here is no spiritual life. Thero can be no life when it is disconnected with its only Source and Author. (2) There is no spiritual support. Lifo must be supported ere it can thrive e.nd be healthy. Apart from Christ tberc is no support e.nd nourishment for the soul. (3) There is no true inspiration. The very principle e.nd stimulus of spiritual life is wanting; the very breath of it is gone. (4) 'l'bere is no real fruit. Luscious, strengthening, healing, e.nd reviving grapes are the real fruits of the vine. Life-giving e.nd inspired actions are the frnits of the soul united with Christ; but, apart from him, these aro not merely absent, but impossible. " Ye can do nothing." Apart from him, we are ciphers in relation to the spiritual world, however active we may otherwise be. 2. Fruit-bearing is the essential consequence of vital union with Christ. "The same beareth much fruit." Let the condition be faith- fully observed-abiding in him-and the consequence will inevitably follow. It would be as easy for the stream to cease to flow while the fountain springs, or for the earth to be in darkness while the sun is in its meridian splendour, as for believers to be barren while in living union with Christ. And this is all-important. If the branches fail in fruitfulness, they fail in all that is valuable; and so with regard to man. 3. .Discontinuance of this union is attended with the most terrible consequences. •• If a.ny man abideth not in me, he is cast forth," etc. This implies: (1) The awful possibility of being connectetl with Christ and yet be severed from him. This is illustrated by the vine and the branches. Many e. branch, after bearing some fruit and long connection, becomes entirely withered and barren. In relation to the true Vine Judas was a striking instance of such a branch. (2) The canse of this severance is in the disciple, and not in the Master. "If any man abide not in me," etc. It is not said, " lf I will not abide in him." This must follow at last but as the effect. The cause of the withering is not in the vine, for other branches are still flourishing and fruitful, and it retains the withered one till it falls of itself, or is lopped off by the dresser; and even then a wound is left behind which will take some time to heal. This is true of the "true Vine." Look how he retained Judas till he left of his own accord; and Jesus on this account was often sorrowful. The cause of the sad severance is entirely in man, and the blame and responsibility are his. (3) This severance is attended with terrible consequences. "They gather them, and cast them into the fire," etc. The terrible process is gradual- the unfruitfulness, the withering, the casting forth, the gathering, the casting into the fire, and the final burning; but, although gradual, it is certain. ln relation to Christ as to the vine, it is the natural and inevitable consequence of the discontinuance of union with him. It is spiritual failure, waste, and destruction. Hence the supreme impor- tance and duty of continued e.nd unbroken union with. him. III. IN ITS HAPPY RESULTS. Consider these: 1. Jn relation to believe-rs. (1) The highest end of being is attained. The highest end of the branches is fruitfulness. The highest end of man's being is the so.me, and is attainable in vital union with Christ, and thus alone. "The same bearcth much fruit." (a) It is visible and practical. It is fruit, the visible evidence of e. Divine union and life, and is embodied in a useful form, in holy thoughts, devotional aspirations, and noble deeds-deeds of faiLh and charity;; self-sacrificing deeds, which glorify God and benefit man. (b) It is genuine i-11, quality, It is fruit, the real outgrowth of the soul in union with Christ, and the same in quality as the fruit of Christ himself, and fit for use. (c) lt is g·reat it,, quantily. "Much fruit." The soul is developed into its utmost capacities, and this is geuuin«t fruition, the highest end of life, and the happy result of union with him who is the Life. (2) Oomplete success in '[YT'ayer. "Ask whatsoever ye will," etc. United with him, we pray in him. When we really pray in him, our petitions are according to his will, e.nd in the interest of the highest end of our spiritual being. All these will cer- tainly be answered, Union with Christ ensures to the soul all spiritual blessing.ij, ".Ask, JOBN-Il, U  290 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO ST. JOHN. [CH. xv. 1-27,