The sad condition and consequences of a fruitless vine with its worthless wood refers not only to unbelieving Israel, but to fruitless Christians as well. The Lord Jesus said that He is the true Vine and Christians are the branches. As in Ezekiel’s parable, the branches of the true Vine are expected to bear fruit. Fruit in the Christian life is much more than effective Christian service - it is primarily effective growth in Christian character. The well-known fruit of the Spirit should be seen on the branches of the true Vine—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Let’s ask ourselves - how is God’s harvest in my life?
Sadly, there are many such people today. Some are even involved in Christian ministry. These are the weeds in our Lord’s parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13). The weeds look like wheat, but they are really unbelievers when it comes to their hearts. The Lord said that in the judgment at the end of the age these false professors would be “pulled up and burned” (Matthew 13:40-42). And remember what Jesus said about people like this at the coming judgment: “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:22-23).
God desires to see spiritual fruit in the lives of His people. As fruitless branches of a vine are useless and must be removed, so fruitless branches in the spiritual realm are useless and will reap the consequences of unbelief. God has no room for worthless wood. He wants to produce a harvest of righteousness!
