Self Examination: Do you understand the Gospel?

[Gr8grace]

It's clear from the text. One group heard the word and received but had no understanding of it. They soon fall away and wilt and die. The other group receives it, understands it, and produces fruit. This is comparison to other texts.

Faith without works is dead.
A tree that doesn't bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire.
A good tree cannot produce bad fruit.
Those who love me will obey my commands.
Because you are neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth.
Many will say to me Lord, Lord, but I will declare I never knew you.
The many verses about people being deceived by false teachers who mix in a little truth.

And these in unison to passages that call us to examine ourselves to be sure we are even in the faith and not deceived. Work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Test the spirits to be whether they are from God. Study to show yourself approved.

A simple head knowledge is not the faith scripture talks about. The text is clear.

Which would be this one.........Head knowledge, and didn't trust Christ as their savior. rejection of the Gospel.

New American Standard Bible
"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

The rest describe.......

babes in Christ that don't advance.

sophomores in Christ that get caught up in the world and stop advancing.

And mature believers.

 

[TMS]

It's clear from the text. One group heard the word and received but had no understanding of it. They soon fall away and wilt and die. The other group receives it, understands it, and produces fruit. This is comparison to other texts.

Faith without works is dead.
A tree that doesn't bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire.
A good tree cannot produce bad fruit.
Those who love me will obey my commands.
Because you are neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth.
Many will say to me Lord, Lord, but I will declare I never knew you.
The many verses about people being deceived by false teachers who mix in a little truth.

And these in unison to passages that call us to examine ourselves to be sure we are even in the faith and not deceived. Work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Test the spirits to be whether they are from God. Study to show yourself approved.

A simple head knowledge is not the faith scripture talks about. The text is clear.

who are you referring to when you say they are not saved? I agree with you about these texts and how God will judge. Many will not be saved because they lacked faith etc... But can you say if they are a sheep or a goat, a bad tree or a good tree?

 

[TMS]

It's clear from the text. One group heard the word and received but had no understanding of it. They soon fall away and wilt and die. The other group receives it, understands it, and produces fruit. This is comparison to other texts.

Faith without works is dead.
A tree that doesn't bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire.
A good tree cannot produce bad fruit.
Those who love me will obey my commands.
Because you are neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth.
Many will say to me Lord, Lord, but I will declare I never knew you.
The many verses about people being deceived by false teachers who mix in a little truth.

And these in unison to passages that call us to examine ourselves to be sure we are even in the faith and not deceived. Work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Test the spirits to be whether they are from God. Study to show yourself approved.

A simple head knowledge is not the faith scripture talks about. The text is clear.

If you are referring to the parable of the seeds, i agree that only the seeds that land in the good soil are saved.

 

[ForthAngel]

who are you referring to when you say they are not saved? I agree with you about these texts and how God will judge. Many will not be saved because they lacked faith etc... But can you say if they are a sheep or a goat, a bad tree or a good tree?

I was comparing the concept of "easy believism" to the parable of the sower. I think only one group from the text is actually saved. The rest are lost. One group is said to have received the word but it never took root and so they fall away and wither. I don't feel as though the text means this group was ever saved. They had a surface level belief in Christ with no real faith or commitment to that belief.

Let me be clear so I don't catch a lot of flack. I don't believe we have a right to make the call on whether or not someone is saved or not in most cases. Other times it can be excruciatingly clear.

I do believe that we have clear instructions to test what is being taught, whether it be from God or not, and whether or not it lines up with scripture. In the cases (usually extreme, albeit subtle) where what is being taught is maligning the Gospel or maligning the image of God, the Holy Spirit, or Christ as portrayed in scripture, then we have a right to step in and call them out on it.

The issue as seen on this thread and countless others lately is the so-called "hyper-grace gospel". The teachers being promoted are typically word of faith or prosperity preachers who have publicly and undeniably maligned the God of scripture and preach a false gospel. Their roots are traceable and their doctrine is laced with metaphysical cult systems of belief and eastern mysticism and new age belief systems. Practicing a little discernment and looking into their history and examining what they preach, one can come to no other conclusion. They also preach post-modern relativism which is also in error when compared to what scripture teaches.

They promise freedom but with no emphasis on sin nature. They teach contrary to the scriptures as far as denying self, but rather they teach to embrace yourself and your desires. They have made grace the object of faith and denied Christ in many ways, while doing it all in the name of Christ. So they preach either a watered down section of the true Gospel, reference the Gospel without ever expounding on it, or teach another gospel altogether and promise the desires of the flesh (health, wealth, power) to those who flock to them in throngs.

 

[Grace777x70]

So many false accusations and mis-representations again....... sigh.. but to be expected...

 

[Beloved777]

I am witnessing people make arguments for doctrines that are completely contrary to Jesus' finished work at the cross of Calvary. Some facts about His sacrifice is that through Him we have been reconciled to God and have forgiveness of sins. Right? The veil has been broken, that which separated man from God (I.e, sin) has been dealt with so that man would be reconciled to God. That is the plan of reconciliation.

How do you go from faith in that truth, Christ crucified and resurrected for the purpose of reconciling sinful man to God, and then go to a doctrine that alienates man from God due to sin? Did I just miss something? Did Christ not just go to the cross 2000 years ago to deal with sin so that we would no longer be alienated from God? I am perplexed at how these doctrines of sin confession and repentance are being used to distance God, our heavenly Father, from His children when He made sure nothing could separate them from His love by Christ's sacrifice.

Do people understand the Gospel? These are simple, foundational, truths about the Gospel and yet, some how, something has gone amiss that people are trying to obtain something Jesus already paid for with His blood (I.e, forgiveness of sin and reconciliation/communion with God). I am genuinely perplexed and annoyed even, that people are espousing doctrines contrary to the basic tenets of the faith.

You ARE reconciled to God, you HAVE forgiveness of sins and you ARE in the light for you are in Jesus Christ. Don't listen to people's religious ideas that replace faith in Christ for some practice. People, please, grasp the very basic tenets of the faith and understand what Jesus accomplished for you. Please. It is frustrating to witness people trying to obtain something that Jesus paid for with His sacrifice only to have it ignored and sought after through some other means. Give the glory to God and commune with God. Have fellowship, you are reconciled!

Salvation is by the grace of God alone through faith in Christ alone to the glory of God The Father alone as recorded in scripture alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Do Christians sin? Yes, as recorded in 1 John 1:7-8. Is confession biblical? yes, as recorded in 1 John 1:9. Is confession a work? No because confessing sin is admitting you sin. You're in agreement with God. That isn't works! Is repentance biblical? Absolutely, as recorded in 2 Corinthians 7:10. Is repentance a work? No it isn't. It is a gift from God. 2 Corinthians 7:10 speaks of a "Godly" sorrow. What does he mean Godly sorrow? Godly sorrow over what? Sin, of course! Can a Godly sorrow over one's sin come from anyone other than God? Not a chance! Sadly, there is another kind of sorrow over sin. It's called a "worldly sorrow." This kind of sorrow does not come from God. It's nothing more than a guilty conscience. And you know what? Everybody's got that. God grants true repentance through a "Godly" sorrow over sin. One that says "I am hurt because my sin hurts God." God grants grace. God grants faith in Christ (apart from works). God alone grants salvation. John 6:44 Jesus says: "No man can come to me, except The Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day."

 

[eternally-gratefull]

ER I kind of get your point.
If I sin but deny it and say you are sinning and need to repent, it does not work.
In your world I cannot walk in righteousness so must be a legalist or an easy believer.

You are being honest by accepting Christ on the cross and failure because there is no other way.

On the other hand, if my view of sin is right, I can walk in righteousness, and you are condemning yourself unnecessarily.

Salvation is lost because people stay in willful sin and walk away from faith.

No sadly you still do not get it, This has absolutely nothing to do wiht what I have been saying or believe. Is it really that hard to understand?

Now in my model, Jesus transforms us into the Kingdom as children of light, where we become brighter as we grow.

How can you say this and not believe in eternal security, It is like saying God can do it, But wait, he may not be able to do it. Which is it?

Either God transforms you, and you are are changed forever. Or he fails. you can not have it both ways.

For you there is always the flesh evil, and the spirit perfect, and going from flesh to spirit.
Now within this people vary about does the flesh die etc. or reduce in impact on your life.
Innate is acceptance of failure, there is just confusion what is failure and what is success.

There is no confusion, The only confusion comes when we look at what we base our righteousness standard on. Many people can act righteous, but have righteousness at all. We can play Christian and not be christian at all (except in name only)

Now we are not going to agree, but at least I think this defines the difference.
You will coat it in spiritualeese but I think this about wraps it up.

No, We will not come even close, because you still have no fathom of what I am saying, How many times do you have to say, "Ok, the light came on, I see what your saying" only to be told, your not even close.

do you even have a desire to know what I believe so you can actually converse wiht me? Or continue to be blinded by what myself and those like me believe?

I had a strong desire to learn what a good friend of mine believed, he was mormon, So I took the book of Mormon and studied it, this at least gave me a basis from where to start to converse with him,

It did not work, because of his excuses, But he could not deny what I was saying about his book was true, he even admitted it..

Same with catholic church and other churches (I am currently studying islam because I have neighbors who are into islam)

why is doing that so hard for you?

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Was raised on John M. and know what he preaches. Our family had his cassette tapes and we tried to do our family according to the teaching of Lordship salvation. Did not go very well for any of us. Without the revelation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ as the Christians identity., the believer will not be able to stand when the trials of life come. "....looking to Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith.."

Same here. My Dad still suffers, and my brother and sister are lost. I was lost for many years.

Romans 8:15 [Full Chapter]
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Galatians 4:6
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Jesus is the example. He held a faith in the father so dear he never wavered in doing what the father pleased. Even when he was so afraid, he sweat blood.

Mark 14:36
And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”


We honor and do Gods will because of our faith ad trust in him, Not because of some "lordship" religion. Thats why the jews failed. And why so many in the church fail..

All, it is by faith.. without faith it is impossible to please him. Working because you have too (lordship) does not please him, because there is no faith involved.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

One is not saved at all.

oh?? Says who??

 

[eternally-gratefull]

oh?? Says who??

forgive me, I was following a different conversation.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I was comparing the concept of "easy believism" to the parable of the sower. I think only one group from the text is actually saved. The rest are lost. One group is said to have received the word but it never took root and so they fall away and wither. I don't feel as though the text means this group was ever saved. They had a surface level belief in Christ with no real faith or commitment to that belief.

Let me be clear so I don't catch a lot of flack. I don't believe we have a right to make the call on whether or not someone is saved or not in most cases. Other times it can be excruciatingly clear.

I do believe that we have clear instructions to test what is being taught, whether it be from God or not, and whether or not it lines up with scripture. In the cases (usually extreme, albeit subtle) where what is being taught is maligning the Gospel or maligning the image of God, the Holy Spirit, or Christ as portrayed in scripture, then we have a right to step in and call them out on it.

The issue as seen on this thread and countless others lately is the so-called "hyper-grace gospel". The teachers being promoted are typically word of faith or prosperity preachers who have publicly and undeniably maligned the God of scripture and preach a false gospel. Their roots are traceable and their doctrine is laced with metaphysical cult systems of belief and eastern mysticism and new age belief systems. Practicing a little discernment and looking into their history and examining what they preach, one can come to no other conclusion. They also preach post-modern relativism which is also in error when compared to what scripture teaches.

They promise freedom but with no emphasis on sin nature. They teach contrary to the scriptures as far as denying self, but rather they teach to embrace yourself and your desires. They have made grace the object of faith and denied Christ in many ways, while doing it all in the name of Christ. So they preach either a watered down section of the true Gospel, reference the Gospel without ever expounding on it, or teach another gospel altogether and promise the desires of the flesh (health, wealth, power) to those who flock to them in throngs.

easy believism, or licentiousness, Teaches everyone who merely believes alone in jesus is saved, No matter what happens next.

You can see them by their fruits. No work (james 2) they continue to live their lives as they did before. Only they may come to church, as james said in his epistle. they are still hearers but not doers.. They are easy to spot.

As apposed to those saved by faith alone (which is not easy, because so few people actually buy into it) where there is a change of life, (even the slightest change would be seen, As even babes in Christ who never really grow are still babes IN CHRIST)

The things f the wrld does nnot take the word away, Because it grew roots, And the faith in Christ remains, Just not in some areas of their lives. Which is why they still need fed milk, not meat..

 

[PeterJens]

No sadly you still do not get it, This has absolutely nothing to do wiht what I have been saying or believe. Is it really that hard to understand?

Goodbye. You deny everything that I have said, and just say it is wrong. You are the first christian I know who has zero normal reference points.

For the record you say:-

You are saved through faith in Jesus
You can never walk righteously (until you meet the Lord)
Your righteousness is imputed through Christ
You believe OSAS
You do not repent, confess or ask for Gods forgiveness.
You do change your mind, and talk about sin with God.
You try and discern flesh and spirit in all you do, do spirit not flesh.

I am a legalist and trying to self justify myself before God.
Good works are not the outflow of my heart, just my attempt to say I am a good boy and earn heaven.

This is what I have gained from you.

You will probably say again I have not got it and you will say "absolutely nothing" is right.
I wonder have you ever led anyone to Christ, because I would be seriously confused what you stand for?
Do you actually stand for anything or is it just a mirage?

 

[ladylynn]

Same here. My Dad still suffers, and my brother and sister are lost. I was lost for many years.

Romans 8:15 [Full Chapter]
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Galatians 4:6
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Jesus is the example. He held a faith in the father so dear he never wavered in doing what the father pleased. Even when he was so afraid, he sweat blood.

Mark 14:36
And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”


We honor and do Gods will because of our faith ad trust in him, Not because of some "lordship" religion. Thats why the jews failed. And why so many in the church fail..

All, it is by faith.. without faith it is impossible to please him. Working because you have too (lordship) does not please him, because there is no faith involved.

Yes, that Lordship salvation stuff is a path into a brick wall. But now to KNOW we are loved because God is free to see us In Christ changes everything. I find it such a major and even funny contradiction to 'religion' that now the calling for us is to -WORK-TO-REST in the finished work of Christ. Not add to the finished work of Christ. Sure does send a monkey wrench into the man made religious mind set huh??!!


His love for us is motivated by His love for us so He sent His Son while we were yet sinners! sure is a great way to live now. No more guessing or hoping He will keep loving us. It's a guarantee that can't change because Jesus did it all. And the Father honors the Son and calls us to do the same. wow.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Goodbye. You deny everything that I have said, and just say it is wrong. You are the first christian I know who has zero normal reference points.

This strikes me as odd. and to be honest, quite arrogant.

You tell me what I believe, and I tell you you are wrong. And that is my fault?

I have a normal reference point, I have even showed you what that is, It is Christ, It is HIS STANDARD (for ALL have sinned and fall short or missed the mark) , not my own..

You just for some reason do not want to hear it.

For the record you say:-

You are saved through faith in Jesus
You can never walk righteously (until you meet the Lord)

Never said this, I said I can not walk according to Gods standard (perfection) which even you admit you are not perfect. So either you agree with me in principle. or you don't, in which case, WHy are you not perfect?

I never said one can not walk in righteousness.. by trusting in him, Yet again, you prove you do not listen to anything I say.

Your righteousness is imputed through Christ
You believe OSAS

That is what the bible says, I was GIVEN (imputed) the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST, I am not saved by my own works of righteousness, but by Gods mercy. And I have eternal life (osas)

You do not repent, confess or ask for Gods forgiveness.

Again a lie. Again proof you never listen. And why we have these silly arguments.

You do change your mind, and talk about sin with God.
You try and discern flesh and spirit in all you do, do spirit not flesh.

this makes no sense, what are you trying to say?

I am a legalist and trying to self justify myself before God.

You do not believe in eternal security, which means no matter how you try to spin it, Salvation according to you is by something you do, which means it is earned, not freely given, which is legalism.

Good works are not the outflow of my heart, just my attempt to say I am a good boy and earn heaven.

Thats what the pharisees said, remember? They did good works, and pleased God.. They even thanked God for making them able to do those works, and please him.

This is what I have gained from you.

You have not gained much, You still do not understand what I believe, Like many who come before you. You so stuck in what you have been told by your church what I believe, you can ot actually listen to what I say to understand it.

You will probably say again I have not got it and you will say "absolutely nothing" is right.
I wonder have you ever led anyone to Christ, because I would be seriously confused what you stand for?
Do you actually stand for anything or is it just a mirage?

well of course your confused.

You believe I believe these things

I do not believe those things (Yes, I believe in Osas and the imputed righteousness of Christ at salvation, also called justification) You get that right, but that is as far is it goes. You do not know WHY I BELIEVE that way, because you will not listen to a word I say.

 

[Beloved777]

Which would be this one.........Head knowledge, and didn't trust Christ as their savior. rejection of the Gospel.

New American Standard Bible
"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

The rest describe.......

babes in Christ that don't advance.

sophomores in Christ that get caught up in the world and stop advancing.

And mature believers.

And here comes John 15:2 - "Every branch in me (Jesus) that beareth not fruit (no fruit) he (The Father) taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit." that's quite a sobering scripture indeed. In the parable of the sower, the first three grounds brought forth no fruit, but the seed (word) was sown upon all four grounds regardless. The fact that the sower (Jesus) sowed the word upon all four grounds anyway, to me, is a testimony of his righteousness. Is it possible to believe in vain? You bet it is! Do you think God will not test you? He sure tested Job didn't he? In the parable of the sower, the first person never believed. The second person believes, even with joy! But when the time of his testing comes (and it will), he is unable to overcome, and his faith fails (Luke 8:13). The third also believes, but he wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants salvation and the world along with it. The issue with 2 and 3 is that they don't truly trust in Christ to help them overcome. Check out Revelation chapter 2 and 3 and count how many times Jesus says the word "overcome." Easy believism equals easy Christianity, but Jesus promised more than just eternal life for the believer. He promised persecution. He promised deceivers would come. He promised temptations and trials. In Luke 22:31 - Jesus says so lovingly to Peter, (and this verse always brings a tear to my eye). He said: "Simon, Simon behold. Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Jesus said that a servant is not greater than his Lord. If a servant is not greater than his Lord, and we call Jesus, the greatest servant we have ever known, our Lord, then how can we just believe in Jesus, sit back relaxing in our recliners, and simply wait for him to come and bring us home? The truth isn't always easy, but it isn't about easy. it's about the truth. It's about relying on him step by step every - single - day - of - your - life to pull you through the trials, the temptations, the failures, the pain, the sorrow, the world, the deceivers, and the devil, and all the rest of it all the way home. We are more than conquers through him that loved us.

 

[Gr8grace]

And here comes John 15:2 - "Every branch in me (Jesus) that beareth not fruit (no fruit) he (The Father) taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit." that's quite a sobering scripture indeed. In the parable of the sower, the first three grounds brought forth no fruit, but the seed (word) was sown upon all four grounds regardless. The fact that the sower (Jesus) sowed the word upon all four grounds anyway, to me, is a testimony of his righteousness. Is it possible to believe in vain? You bet it is! Do you think God will not test you? He sure tested Job didn't he? In the parable of the sower, the first person never believed. The second person believes, even with joy! But when the time of his testing comes (and it will), he is unable to overcome, and his faith fails (Luke 8:13). The third also believes, but he wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants salvation and the world along with it. The issue with 2 and 3 is that they don't truly trust in Christ to help them overcome. Check out Revelation chapter 2 and 3 and count how many times Jesus says the word "overcome." Easy believism equals easy Christianity, but Jesus promised more than just eternal life for the believer. He promised persecution. He promised deceivers would come. He promised temptations and trials. In Luke 22:31 - Jesus says so lovingly to Peter, (and this verse always brings a tear to my eye). He said: "Simon, Simon behold. Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Jesus said that a servant is not greater than his Lord. If a servant is not greater than his Lord, and we call Jesus, the greatest servant we have ever known, our Lord, then how can we just believe in Jesus, sit back relaxing in our recliners, and simply wait for him to come and bring us home? The truth isn't always easy, but it isn't about easy. it's about the truth. It's about relying on him step by step every - single - day - of - your - life to pull you through the trials, the temptations, the failures, the pain, the sorrow, the world, the deceivers, and the devil, and all the rest of it all the way home. We are more than conquers through him that loved us.

John 15:2? Is this a loss of salvation verse in your mind? Its not. It is actually very comforting for the new believer.

The vine dresser( this is an agricultural community,so they know the language) would go around to all the new vines and LIFT them up, get them off the ground and remove weeds around the vine so the LIGHT could better reach them.

Sounds a little more plausible than God throwing His new babes in hell doesn't it?

New American Standard Bible
"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away(airo); and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

airó: to raise, take up, lift​

Original Word: αἴρω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: airó
Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-ee-ro)
Short Definition: I raise, lift up
Definition: I raise, lift up, take away, remove.

 

[Grace777x70]

This is a perfect example of taking a word from the KJV or for that matter any translation on it's own..without looking at it further in the original language.....words and their meanings do matter....context ....relying on the Holy Spirit to lead us...we need them both..

John 15:2? Is this a loss of salvation verse in your mind? Its not. It is actually very comforting for the new believer.

The vine dresser( this is an agricultural community,so they know the language) would go around to all the new vines and LIFT them up, get them off the ground and remove weeds around the vine so the LIGHT could better reach them.

Sounds a little more plausible than God throwing His new babes in hell doesn't it?

New American Standard Bible
"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away(airo); and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

airó: to raise, take up, lift​

Original Word: αἴρω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: airó
Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-ee-ro)
Short Definition: I raise, lift up
Definition: I raise, lift up, take away, remove.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

John 15:2? Is this a loss of salvation verse in your mind? Its not. It is actually very comforting for the new believer.

The vine dresser( this is an agricultural community,so they know the language) would go around to all the new vines and LIFT them up, get them off the ground and remove weeds around the vine so the LIGHT could better reach them.

Sounds a little more plausible than God throwing His new babes in hell doesn't it?

New American Standard Bible
"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away(airo); and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

airó: to raise, take up, lift​

Original Word: αἴρω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: airó
Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-ee-ro)
Short Definition: I raise, lift up
Definition: I raise, lift up, take away, remove.

Such are the twisted reasonings of 'grace' believers. Any interpretations are possible to try to make the boat float.

Anyone who's dealt with horticulture knows that you don't leave non-fruit producing branches untouched and prune the fruit producing branches. You cut them off and throw them away so that the fruit producing branches have more energy to be fruitful.

Furthermore, the word αἴρω in John 15:2 is the same word as in John 1:29 (takes away). Are you going to tell us that the sin of the world was lifted up so that it could prosper and be fruitful?

On the next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29​

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Such are the twisted reasonings of 'grace' believers. Any interpretations are possible to try to make the boat float.

Anyone who's dealt with horticulture knows that you don't leave non-fruit producing branches untouched and prune the fruit producing branches. You cut them off and throw them away so that the fruit producing branches have more energy to be fruitful.

Furthermore, the word αἴρω in John 15:2 is the same word as in John 1:29 (takes away). Are you going to tell us that the sin of the world was lifted up so that it could prosper and be fruitful?

On the next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29​

You did not read a word he said did you? People do not cut away live branches that do not produce fruit. They lift them up to allow them to produce..

You cut away DEAD branches. because they are dead, not because they do not produce fruit. If I cut off all the branches of my tree that did not produce apples, I would not have much of a tree..

 

[Grace777x70]

Greek words have many different meanings which is why we need to look at the context the word is being used.

And we need to look at all scripture through the "lens" of the finished work of Christ by relying on the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us....

...reading the bible with your natural mind leads to all kinds of skewed thoughts and reasonings...and then "traditions" are taught as if they are true...

[FONT="Gentium" !important]airō[/FONT] verb

Raise, lift up, take up, pick up, bear away, carry off.
Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary, The - The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Alpha-Gamma.