THE TRUE VINE

The True Vine

O Jesus, Lord, the Living Vine,
Whose grace and love through branches shine;
Apart from You our strength must cease,
Our hearts know neither joy nor peace.

No branch can bloom by will alone,
Nor bear the fruit that heaven has known;
Your living sap, so rich and free,
Flows through the soul that trusts in Thee.

By faith we're grafted to Your Side,
In You we live, in You abide;
Your Spirit fills each willing heart,
And gives us grace to do our part.

Then clusters fair begin to grow,
As heaven's living blessings flow;
Like ripened grapes on autumn's vine,
They speak of love and life Divine.

Their sweetness feeds the faint with cheer,
Brings hope to hearts weighed down by fear;
They strengthen all who taste Your grace,
And draw the lost to seek Your Face.

So prune us, Lord, with loving hand,
To flourish by Your wise command;
Though pruning brings a passing pain,
It yields a richer, sweeter gain.

Until that glorious final day,
When earth and shadow fade away;
We'll hear the words our hearts have sought:
"My friends, well done - you lacked for naught."

No richer gift could we receive,
No greater joy could hearts conceive -
Than Christ to call us, face to Face,
His friends for all eternal days.

Images by CN Whittle