The Vine

I'm supposed to be going to bed, but I stopped to read my Bible first, and now I must type a few thoughts.

John 15:2 - He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit.

MH says, Unfruitful professors are unfaithful professors, and no more.

Unfruitful = Unfaithful. Something to remember.

For the fruitful, on the other hand, God purges to produce more fruit. I have been noticing this week how often the parable is true that says "he who has will be given more, and he who has not, even what he has will be taken away." From a school context to employment to anything, it holds true. My students who have some knowledge inevitable gain more than those who have little. Those who have low grades continue to fall, while those with better grades continue to excel. Those who have patience continue to become more patient and more perfect. Those who lack it tend to become more impatient as time passes. Apart from God's grace, we are entirely hopeless. Only he can give what we lack and increase what we are privileged to have. And the more fruit we bring forth, the more we abound in that which is good, the more he is glorified (MH John 15:1-8).

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you - John 15:9

I never realized what that really means before. How does the Father love Christ? He loves Him as a Son, as someone worthy of His love; He is well-pleased with Christ. He loves us, who are unworthy, likewise: as children acceptable and pleasing in His sight. Consider the love of a natural father for his son; how much more the love of our Divine Father for His Son, part of Himself. One of the few (very few) beautiful teachings I received at ORU was Dr. Thimel's lesson on the Trinity. He spoke about the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. From what I remember, it's something like this: God is love. Love is not love if it is alone. God can be love, because He is a triune being. There is infinite and perfect love between the 3 persons of the Trinity, providing the ultimate model for us. Add to that the image of Christ's love for us being a reflection of the Father's love for Him. Grace, indeed.

And then, the command--that we love one another in the same way. Grace is needed for that challenge.