Jesus explains unity with the picture of a grape vine.
Click here for an online Bible John 15:1-8
The vine is used as a symbol for Israel in the Old Testament. Jesus said that he was the true vine. The true people of God are not the descendants of Jacob, but the followers of Jesus. He said that the Father is the gardener. As the gardener, he has authority over the vine and the fruit belongs to him.
Jesus said that people are the branches of the vine. The only branches that are worthwhile to the gardener are those that are connected to the vine. Only those branches that are connected can produce fruit. Disconnected branches will be cast into the fire.
Our bearing fruit brings glory to the Father and shows that we are Jesus’ disciples. So, what does it mean to bear fruit? Remember that the purpose of a grapevine is to produce grapes. Grapes are the fruit.
Our purpose is to glorify God. We bear fruit by becoming a disciple of Jesus, growing as a disciple, and living a life dedicated to God’s glory. It doesn’t just happen. It takes effort and discipline.
Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.
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6 comments:
I like the Pastor's comment about producing grapes. I think the grapes are right on. Grapes are a fruit that help with memory. We need to be living reminders of Gods Glory (like 1st Peter 1:12).
I think it interesting that He said "they cast them into the fire" I liken it to the wildfires that we have seen so many times. I was stunned when I saw it so I checked it in another version. KJV, says men cast them into the fire. Still, I had always pictured God as the consuming fire. So, I wonder if there is another fire Jesus is speaking of. This one's got my attention, if you have got any thoughts on why Jesus seems to be distancing Himself from this fire, I'd love to hear them. Thanks,
Love,
ej
Okay, in researching the link provided on the web page of the text (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%202Th%201;&version=77;) I think "they" refers to the angels/message/the words spoken by Jesus. Hmmm....
EJ: the references I found only LIKENED Jehovah God to A consuming fire. There is no statement as to God being THE consuming fire. some more research would need done on the similarities the writer intended to stay in context.
Most of the commentaries on this verse in John equate this fire to THE fire, the lake of fire, Hell itself.
As to who does the gathering, the word THEY was used in the original and thus came the various interpretations of angels on one hand, as in Revelation, and men on the other hand. Both seem viable and in context.
Hello, my dear friend, LarryH.
I do not at all disagree with the likening that you speak of. I would have a tendency to agree for the most part but there are 2 references in the book of Deuteronomy 4:24 and Hebrews 12:29. Now, there are other verses that support the analogy view. There is of course no way that we can boil down God to one single element, such as fire. I do not think it wrong to think of God as a consuming fire. We see, Moses beheld a fire in a bush and a fire cloud is what the children of Israel followed. I think, we need to remember that our God is a fire and will protect us when the fire starts over the dried up cisterns/branches. The point is that the dry branches need water, Jesus is the water, but even if the dry branches have water on them its not enough to save them, for the water has to come from within them. As stated earlier I do believe the Word which Jesus spoke is what starts the fire. This is the baptism of fire John spoke of, important concept is to withstand find the peace that comes from God in the mist of the fire. Look to Jesus, just keep your eyes on Him and He will guide you through the fire (His words). I do believe this to be in the context of the totally awesome analogy, but I also want to be sober minded. So, hit me back if you receive something different. Just for further clarification I do not think God is this fire, I do believe Jesus is drawing a line between His words and Him, not that they do not agree, but they are different. There are other challenges in the bible, which exhort us to make our words and actions agree (James).
The thing I like most about this passage is that we are exhorted to prove ourselves His disciples. This is awesome... lets forget trying to prove whether or not God exist, let's prove ourselves, by asking God for what we want. Two things first we must abide in Him, by doing the things He has shown us; second keeping His words, storing in our hearts the things He asks of us. We are witnesses to the evil things of this world tangible things, we need to give voice to these things that we see are wrong and see that God accomplishes them for us.
Love,
ej
The fire is not the central point of the story. The main issue is abiding in Jesus. Those who do not are useless. They are discarded. Jesus may have in mind here the fire of hell for those who do not believe. He speaks of fire often. In Matthew 3:10, the tree that does not produce fruit is throw in the fire. Matthew 3:12, the chaff will be burned. Matthew 5:22 sinner are in danger of the fires of hell. Other Matthew passages 6:30, 7:19, 13:40, 18:8-9, 25:41.
The thing i was attracted to when I first read this verse from the online version was the word "they." What was so peculiar was the manner in which the fire starts. It would appear that they are the start of their own destruction, which is so awesome (to me)! I had always seen God as this fire -- going about destroying people for no reason, but when we look at people like trees in the forest, we see that the fire starts quite naturally, when the branches become too dry they trap the heat from the sun and catch on fire, destroying themselves and those nearby, though there maybe some branches that are not completely dry, they too will be burned up, because they are just going to become dry and serve no future purpose. So in this way nature makes room for new growth. This is why doing work based on faith is so important. Not that doing the work will save us, but rather it shows that we are fruit-bearing -- moist from the inside, so even though we burn we are not consumed, and even if we are burned completely our water/seed feeds back into the earth/or that which survives the flame, but that which is dry has nothing to give.
I could not see this from the ESV, for it reads this way: "If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, and burned." 15:6
Relax! Jesus is the way He has already been through the fire, He is showing us the way He found, if we follow Him, we will produce fruit, just as He did with the 11 disciples and more. Trusting Him to accomplish all things all we need to do is believe, He will do the rest.
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