THE POET'S CORNER ARCHIVES

^"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

No Greater Love

On the way to Gethsemane that evening long ago,

The Savior began to teach as He was wont to do.

His lesson in the vineyard became the "Parable of the Vine,"

A lesson that we all should learn, ev'ry precious line.

It's not a lesson about Salvation; but, how to serve the Lord.

A parable has just one point; not a doctrine in each Word.

Christ is the Vine and the Branches are all who have believed.

We are clean through his Word, as the Gospel we've received.

In a vineyard, the Husbandman has chores by the score.

Every branch that bears fruit is pruned; so it will bear much more.

But to bear any fruit at all, we must be attached to the Vine,

That is where we get our strength to serve, and lay all upon the line.

If we abide in Him, we shall have strength much fruit to bear.

If our branch begins to wither, and we do not the Gospel share,

Our branches will be gathered up, and our branches men will burn,

As useless as wood, hay, and stubble, is the lesson we must learn.

Only is the Father glorified if His vineyard bears much fruit.

With a bountiful harvest of souls hanging upon each shoot.

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you..."
"Continue ye in my love," a commandment tried and true.

If you do not love one another; but, instead bite and devour,

The fruit that grows upon your branch will leave a taste most sour.

A watching world will give no heed to the words that you say;

But cast them all aside, and go upon their merry way.

"This is my commandment, that ye love one another,"

Even to the point that you lay down your life for a brother.

Christ has called us to go forth and bear fruit that will remain.

And a soul bound for Heaven, cannot be lost again.

"For God so loved the world," for all mankind was lost,

"That he gave his only begotten son," upon a rugged cross.

"That whosoever believeth in him," that's you and I, my Friend.

"Should not perish, but have everlasting life." Life without end.