The Value of Tenacity

A vineyard full of grapes ready to harvest is a beautiful thing. It’s amazing how one vine can support many branches full of fruit. Living in central California gave me a special appreciation of this.

Grapes have been valued since ancient times. They are tasty fresh off the vine, dried in the sun for raisins, or pressed into juice and made into wine.  

Jesus used this valuable resource to illustrate a Biblical principle. It is found in John 15:1-11. I hope you take time to read those verses. But He starts by saying God is the keeper of the vineyard, Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches (v. 1, 5).  

We must cling to Him if we want to bear good fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing of spiritual value (v. 5).

We cling to the vine in various ways. First, by faith we believe He is the Son of God. Then we continue in faith to receive Him as our Savior (John 3:16-18).

But faith we then show our love to Jesus by commitment to obeying His commands and lovingly relating to other believers (v. 10, 12). In Him, we are fruitful in good works which glorify God (v. 8).

Abiding in Christ can keep us level-headed. In times of hardship or trial, we need not despair. When we’re down and our joy seems gone, abiding in Christ will give us the victory. Paul said, “We live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). It’s also wise not to live by our fluctuating emotions.

To abide in Christ is to trust in Him. We submit to Him, follow His ways, and pursue a lasting relationship with Him.

"Tenacity" is a valuable character trait. Somebody who is tenacious keeps a firm hold on something they don’t want to lose.   

When God prunes us by allowing challenging or hard times into our lives, tenacious people hang on by faith. Careless, unproductive followers fall away and become worthless branches good only for fire (v. 6)

Don’t be a worthless branch! Be tenacious and enjoy a fruitful, eternal relationship with The Vine!  

Pixabay: Purple, grapes, grapevine; MARINOPHUC.