AN EMPTY VINE

“Israel is an empty vine,
he brings forth fruit unto himself”
Numbers 13:30

An empty life is simply a life lived unto itself. A man filled with his own agendas is not really capable of relationship for everything is viewed from the standpoint of personal advantage and gain; everything becomes subservient to the betterment of self. The life is no longer lived from the standpoint of God’s heart, God’s interests and bearing fruit unto God. It is a subtle death; it is the slow process of decay as priorities slowly change from God to one’s self. His giftings slowly become “ours”, His ministrations of life become “our” ministry, and all of our interactions with others are to one end… the magnifying and enlarging of self. The emptiness of such a life lived is a desolation beyond comprehension. It is filled with blindness, revealed by a heart that is no longer touched with the trials of others, for it is disconnected from those around it. It is expressed in independent living, narrowness of vision and incapacity to pray, strengthen or serve others.

“For thou hast said in thine heart,
I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:
I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation,
in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will be like the most High”
ISAIAH 14:13 – 14

Self seeking and self serving is the very gateway to hell and death for it is the very antithesis of the heart of Jesus…

“But made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man,
he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above every name”
PHILLIPIANS 2:7 – 9

It is in being free from the tyranny of self that we find life. It is in our “choosing” to pick up our cross and follow the ONE who is the Prince of Peace, the Author of our Faith, the Source of all Life and the Giver of all good things that we discover in HIM we live, move and have our being. The Life of bearing fruit is a life lived in the wonder and glory of HIM, who GAVE HIS LIFE for us, that we may give our life for others.

“Herein is my Father glorified,
that ye bear much fruit”
JOHN 15:8

Brian Troxel