"Sucker shoots" is, by design, not a complimentary designation. Gardeners often find such shoots growing on plants, sucking nutrients away from the healthy branches on a vine, and creating knots of fibers where debris collects. A good gardener cuts away these shoots so that the branches can stay healthy and produce fruit.
Jesus explained that we are like branches and God is like a good gardener. He prunes away anything distracting or detrimental, cleaning us up so that we can produce the fruit of Christ likeness (John 15:1-2). God wants us to depend on Christ alone for our sustenance. Jesus said, "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me." (John 15:4)
Because God is ever-present we never need to doubt that He is with us. However, there are many ways to know whether we are remaining in Him. John 15 identifies one sign to look for---obedience. Jesus said, "When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love, just as I obey My Father's commandments and remain in His love." (John 15:10) To remain obedient to God's commands is a sure sign that His love sustains us.
Your View of God Really Matters ...
What is the one thing you must do today if you want to bear fruit tomorrow? How does Jesus' statement, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men," relate to John 15:4?
Learn more about God’s character at Discover God, by Bright Media Foundation, an affiliate of Cru.
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