Christian Bible Tracts - Sin and Sex

THE VINE AND ITS BRANCHES

We have here a picture of a well-known vine. Let us see if we can learn a few lessons from it.

And, first of all, it does not claim to be anything but a VINE - a grape-vine.

Look at it, and it APPEARS LIKE ONE; touch or test it in any form you please, and it always shows itself in its true character. It never tries to put on the appearance of some beautiful plant, nor look like some tall, stately oak. We, too, should always show ourselves to be AS and WHAT we are. BAD men often try to make others believe that they are GOOD. They are ashamed to be known to others just as they are known to themselves. They claim to be what they are not. The vine, in this repect, REBUKES them, for it IS always just what it SEEMS to be. Let all our boys and girls be TRUE, and avoid deception of every kind. Henry Clay once said, "I would rather be RIGHT than to be President."

The vine also shows us the necessity of having some SUITABLE SUPPORT. Does this vine stand ALONE, or seem to hold itself in an upright position by its own strength? There is a trellis or frame to which it clings, and this frame gives it SUPPORT.

Children, can we stand ALONE in life? Certainly not. We need each other's help. "Bear ye one another's burdens." Gal. vi. 2. We need Christ's help still more. He has said, "Without me, ye can do nothing." John xv. 5. Take away the trellis, and what would happen to the vine? Fall? Yes, it would fall to the ground. Many are in the dust to-day because they have forsaken God, their only strength and support. "God is our refuge and STRENGTH, a very present HELP in trouble."

The vine also teaches us a lesson on FRUITFULNESS. Some vines have perfect branches, heavy foliage, and pretty blossoms, but NO fruit. The vine here represented is full of rich clusters. How fruitful it appears! Shall our lives be BARREN? If VINES bear fruits, shall SOULS be unfruitful? Jesus once found a tree bearing upon its branches "NOTHING BUT LEAVES." Mark xi. 13. What a disappointment? Nothing but leaves. Trees and vines all covered with rustling leaves and fragrant blossoms, may be very beautiful indeed, but to be USEFUL they must bear FRUIT.

"In Eastern poetry they tell of a wondrous tree on which grew golden apples and silver bells, and every time the breeze went by and shook the fragrant branches, a shower of these golden apples fell, and the living bells chimed and tinkled forth their airy ravishment." BIBLICAL MUSEUM

Children, so live that the fruit of your lives may be more sweet, wholesome, and valuable than all the "golden apples and silver bells" that fancy ever painted.

1. Joy in believing................................Ps. xxv.9.
2. Rest Matt.............................xi. 28; Jer. vi. 16.
3. Peace..........John xiv. 27; Isa. xxvi. 3,4; Job xxii. 21.
4. Eternal.....................life.John x. 28; John iii. 26.
5. The Holy Spirit.....John xiv. 16; Ps. li. 12; Titus iii 5;
                               2 Cor. iii. 17; 1 Thess. i. 6.