John 15:1-3 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
Have you considered what it means that the Father "takes away" the branch that does not bear fruit?
I agree this can be a difficult passage; however, it does not seem consistent with God to take away a branch that has no fruit.
What is the goal of the vinedresser? To tend the vine and to produce the best fruit. Look at verse 2 again, what do you know about the branch that is taken away? It is IN Jesus and it is not bearing fruit.
So, what does it means to be “in me”. Connected to, influenced by, nourished through and dependent on. Literally, an extension of the vine (Jesus)! Even if the branch is not bearing fruit, it is still an extension of Jesus! What would be the benefit of taking away the branch that is part of Jesus?
Don't miss this! The word translated “take away” is associated with termination and punishment; however, the word also means to pick up!
Help me translate. Which definition would be more consistent with God’s character in this passage? That God would take away an extension of His Son or that He would pick it up? The vinedresser desires the best fruit from the vine, so if a branch connected to the vine is not bearing fruit, the vinedresser puts the branch in the best position to begin bearing fruit.
Be encouraged! Being hidden in Christ, you do not have to fear that God the Father will take you away because you are not meeting His expectations. Christ Jesus has already met His expectations! You have been grafted into the Vine and He will place you where you need to be to begin bearing fruit, more fruit and much fruit. Listen to Him...and obey.
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