What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? (Isaiah 5:4)
This verse concerns Israel and its relationship to God. It is also a reminder to Christians that God has expectations for us as well. He wants us to bear fruit and to do his bidding…and when we do not he is not happy. In Isaiah 5:6 God says, I will make it a wasteland…a severe consequence indeed!
In John 15:1-4 Jesus says, I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful…Remain in me, and I will 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.
These verses explain that a true Christian life will include some “pruning.” However, we are to have permanent domain (i.e. remain connected) in Christ, and if we do not we can expect there will be some unwanted and serious consequences.
My recommendation is that we stay in the Word and pray at least daily, worship and fellowship with other Christians regularly, and be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit continually. A regimen like that is very conducive to bearing fruit.
