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The True Vine ...
I find the book of John chapter 15: 1-6 very challenging. I have tried to figure it out but I think I need some help.
1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser.
2 "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away; and every branch that bears fruits He prunes, that it may bear more fruits
3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 "Abide in Me, and and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruits; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, He is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned".
I would be grateful if some brothers or sisters could clarify these verses for me, especially - the second verse.
Thanks and God bless.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lina on
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Thank you for the link Jenny. I checked it out and I've started reading it. I know it'll be very helpful
God bless.
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Permalink Reply by RoyW on
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Lina,
You may also be questioning the "taken away" part in v. 2 and in v. 6 the "cast out." Does this mean that it is possible for us to lose our salvation? I personally would not interpret these verses in this way. Jesus often spoke to the people in two sets: those who belong and those who do not belong. Some interpret this verse as simply meaning the reference is to those who are not true believers. I think the reference is to those who felt they were the branches of the vine of God. Jesus is here making it clear to them that they indeed are not the true vine of God but that in fact He is the vine.
I see a picture of those who come to God through Jesus and those who reject the only true path to God. There is only one way to Christ and that is through Jesus. A branch that is not attached to the vine will not and cannot produce the kind of fruit that God demands. The fruit that God demands is that fruit that comes by faith. Works in themselves cannot save. Only those works that result from faith in Jesus. That is all that count as Paul spoke to the Galations: faith expressing itself in love.
The Jews were confident that they were the vine of God. He spoke of planting a vine such as Jer 2:21 and Isa 5. Now, Jesus is revealing Himself as that vine.
Also, the picture of the Father as the Gardner is an interesting one as well. It is the Holy Father that disciplines us. That should in our spirits bring us closer to Him.
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Thank you Roy. Does this then emphasize the point that our salvation depends on faith. If it does, then one cannot be saved without faith, because faith as revealed in Hebrew 11:1 ' is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen' is not easy as it sounds.
Faith is not easy, because most people want to see evidence. We thank God for His grace that strengthens our faith in Him, inspite of the trails we go through each day.
Thanks and God bless you.
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For the most part I say, "Yes." You still have to deal with all the unborn babies, etc.
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Do the unborn babies have any choice? What about those miscarriages?
I hope the Good Lord has made plans for their salvation because they are innocent.
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I guarantee you that He will do the right thing. That is why we trust Him. He knows all. We only know that which He has shared. I don't find where He told us exactly how He will deal with babies but I am quite sure He is taking care of them as well as those who struggle with enough intelligence to make those kinds of decisions.
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Permalink Reply by Carla on
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Hi Lina,
You've gotten some great answers here...
Regarding the 'fruits' that we produce... I've always taken that to mean the 'fruit of the Spirit' in Galatians 5:22,23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Blessings, Carla
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Permalink Reply by Dillon Hunt on
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2 "Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away; and every branch that bears fruits He prunes, that it may bear more fruits.
The Greek αἴρω (airō), which means to takes away can also be translated, to raise up, elevate, lift up, to raise from the ground, take up, to raise upwards, elevate, lift up, to draw up,
to take upon one's self ( himself ) and carry what has been raised up, to bear. (my favorite)
Dillon
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