believe that we
are also necessary to Christ. He cannot do without us. The Son wants
sons; angels will not suffice. Through redeemed men alone can He
achieve His eternal purpose. I hear the Root pleading for more and yet
more branch-life, that it may cover the world with goodly shadow and
fruit.

II. FRUIT OR NO FRUIT.--From all that has been said, it is clear that
the one purpose in the vine is fruit-bearing. See, here, how the
Divine Teacher accentuates it. "Fruit," "much fruit," "more fruit."
Nothing less will content Him in any one of us. For this we were taken
out of the wild vine in which we were by nature, and grafted into Him;
for this the regeneration of the Holy Ghost, and the discipline of
life; for this the sunshine of His love, and the dew of the Holy Ghost.
It becomes each seriously to ask, "Am I bringing forth fruit unto God?
There may be orthodoxy of doctrine, correctness in life, and even
heartiness of service; but is there fruit, much fruit, more fruit?"

_Fruit!_--This is the only condition of being retained in living union
with the Vine.

_Much fruit!_--Only thus will the Father be glorified.

_More fruit._--Otherwise there must be the repeated use of the knife.

Nowhere does the Lord contemplate a _little fruit_. A berry here and
there! A thin bunch of sour, unripened grapes! Yet it is too true
that many believers yield no more than this. He comes to us hungry for
grapes, but behold a few mildewed bunches, not fit to eat!

Where there is _no fruit_, there has been no real union with the Vine.
Probably you are a professor, but not a possessor; a nominal Christian,
an attendant at church or chapel, but not really one with Christ. True
union with Him produces a temper, a disposition, a ripe and mellow
experience which certainly indicates that Christ is within. You cannot
simulate the holy joy, the thoughtful love, the tranquil serenity, the
strong self-control, which mark the soul which is in real union with
Jesus; but where there is real abiding, these things will be in us and
abound, and we shall be neither barren, nor unfruitful in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ.

III. THE KNIFE AND THE FIRE.--"Every branch in Me that beareth fruit,"
the Father who is the Husbandman "purgeth it that it may bring forth
more fruit." Too many children of God, when passing through great
physical and other suffering, account it punishment. Nay, it is not
punitive, but purgative. This i