lets have some Bible study shall we?

[reneweddaybyday]

When Jesus said, “anyone who does not abide in Me is cast out as a branch, withers, and is thrown into the fire,” He was not referring to fruitless Christians. (They are lifted up.)

In John 15, the "branch" is comprised of believers. Only believers can abide in the Vine. Abiding in the Vine is not available to unbelievers.

15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

This verse is clumsily translated in every version I have read. The way the verse is translated it appears that if a branch (which is a believer) does not bear fruit, the Vinedresser takes it away from the Vine. However, if you look at the words he taketh away, they are translated from the Greek Word airei which means to lift up. If a branch (believer) is not bearing fruit, the Vinedresser lifts up that branch and supports the branch so that branch may bear fruit.


And note the difference in John 15:6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

In John 15:6, Jesus is no longer speaking of a "branch" (believer). Believers are referred to as branches in John 15. In vs 6, Jesus says if a man … not "if a 'branch' does not abide in Me".


So, verse 2 says that if the believer is not bearing fruit, the Vinedresser supports the believer so that he/she may bear fruit.

And verse 6 says that unbelievers will be cast into the fire.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

This verse is clumsily translated in every version I have read. The way the verse is translated it appears that if a branch (which is a believer) does not bear fruit, the Vinedresser takes it away from the Vine. However, if you look at the words he taketh away, they are translated from the Greek Word airei which means to lift up. If a branch (believer) is not bearing fruit, the Vinedresser lifts up that branch and supports the branch so that branch may bear fruit.

This is complete nonsense and a lie perpetrated by false-grace believers; It's completely repudiated by the context of John 15:1-6.

 

[BenFTW]

This is complete nonsense and a lie perpetrated by false-grace believers; It's completely repudiated by the context of John 15:1-6.

So are you saying that you are bearing so much fruit that Jesus hasn't cut you off yet? Do you fear that if you become unproductive that He will toss you into the fire? Does this not resemble self-righteousness, in the least? To think that your salvation is maintained by your productivity?

 

[phil112]

..................................This verse is clumsily translated in every version I have read. ..................................

According to who? You? Or do you have a source you want to name?
Since you didn't quote a source, we'll have to assume it's you.
First, let me congratulate you on being enough of a saint for God to trust the proper interpretation to you.
Now this puzzles me, but since you appear to have an inside track to bible knowledge, perhaps you can answer it.
Why would God allow people to have a corrupted version for 2000 years?
If the bible is written by holy men under guidance of His spirit, why would He allow His spirit to make an error, and not correct it 'til you got here?
If you could answer that I'd appreciate it, thanks.

 

[roaringkitten]

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philip 4:13

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5

Without Him you can do nothing, with Him all things are possible!

 

[roaringkitten]

Let's review some of the basics(Rom 5)

1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

In John 15, the "branch" is comprised of believers. Only believers can abide in the Vine. Abiding in the Vine is not available to unbelievers.

15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

This verse is clumsily translated in every version I have read. The way the verse is translated it appears that if a branch (which is a believer) does not bear fruit, the Vinedresser takes it away from the Vine. However, if you look at the words he taketh away, they are translated from the Greek Word airei which means to lift up. If a branch (believer) is not bearing fruit, the Vinedresser lifts up that branch and supports the branch so that branch may bear fruit.


And note the difference in John 15:6: If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

In John 15:6, Jesus is no longer speaking of a "branch" (believer). Believers are referred to as branches in John 15. In vs 6, Jesus says if a man … not "if a 'branch' does not abide in Me".


So, verse 2 says that if the believer is not bearing fruit, the Vinedresser supports the believer so that he/she may bear fruit.

And verse 6 says that unbelievers will be cast into the fire.

You just outed yourself.

 

[roaringkitten]

You just outed yourself.

Accusing the brethren I see. Let's go study the Bible about who the accuser of the brethren is:

"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." Rev 12:10

The Bible asks this question:

"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Rom 8:33-34

Who are you to lay a charge against a saint who has her sins washed in the blood of the Lamb?

 

[phil112]

Accusing the brethren I see. Let's go study the Bible about who this accuser of the brethren is:
S

Since when does an observation become an accusation?
But calling someone satan, as you just did, certainly is an accusation.

 

[roaringkitten]

Since when does an observation become an accusation?
But calling someone satan, as you just did, certainly is an accusation.

Before you replied I had already edited the post, so it wouldn't confuse people like yourself(reread my post again). Perhaps I should have worded it differently and said this user accuses the brethren, just as Satan accuses the brethren. That's what I was trying to convey.

"You just outed yourself" is an accusation. That is what this user has been doing to many users on CC for a long time now. Telling those who have their sins washed in the Lamb's blood are in danger of going to hell.

 

[roaringkitten]

The Vine and the branches(John 15):

1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

 

[PilgrimPassingThru]

Same themes are shown in Heb 6:8, Mat 7:19, and Mat 13:40-42, whether bearing thorns and briers, or evil fruit, or no fruit, whether in a tree or in a branch

Heb 6:8 But that (( which beareth )) thorns and briers (( is rejected ))
and is nigh unto cursing (( whose end )) is to be burned.
( Mat 7:19, Mat 13:40-42 John 15:6 )

Mat 7:19 (( Every tree )) that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
( Heb 6:8, John 15:6, Mat 13:40-42 )

Of branches that bear not fruit as John 5:4 shows and abiding not in Christ (by whom his fruit come) is the same shown in John 15:6

John 15:6 If (( a man )) abide not (( in me )) he is cast forth (( as a branch )) and is (( withered )) and men gather (( them)) and cast (( them )) into the fire, ((and they)) are burned.
( Heb 6:8, Mat 7:19, Mat 13:40-42 )

In Heb 6:8 show that which is bearing thorns and briers which is rejected (whose end is to be burned) as in Mat 7:19 shows trees which bear no good fruit hewn down and cast into the fire. And in John 15:6 of branches not abiding, withered and cast into the fire and they are burned. Lastly, in Mat 13: 40-42 of the tares gathered and burned in the fire in the end of the world

The good seed (the children of God)
and the tares ( the children of the wicked one) which grow together

Mat 13:40 As therefore (( the tares )) are gathered and burned in the fire;
so shall it be in the end of this world.

Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth (( his angels ))
and they shall (( gather out of)) his kingdom all things that offend,
(( and them )) which do iniquity;

Mat 13:42 And shall (( cast them )) into a furnace of fire:
there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

John 15:1 (( I am )) the true vine,
and (( my Father)) is the husbandman.

John 15:5 (( I am )) the vine,
(( ye are )) the branches:

The branches that (( beareth not)) fruit

John 15:2a (( Every )) branch (( in me ))
that beareth not fruit (( He )) taketh away

Psalm 125:5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways,
(( the LORD )) shall lead them (( forth )) with the workers of iniquity
but peace shall be upon Israel.

Just as

John 15:6 If (( a man )) abide not (( in me )) he is (( cast forth )) as a branch
and is (( withered )) and men (( gather )) them
and cast (( them )) into the fire,
and (( they )) are burned.

Seems to speak similiarly in various places concerning what is fruitless, or bearing evil fruit (even thorns and briers) in false prophets, or no fruit, such as trees without fruit, or fruit that withereth whether of branches or trees, getting the axe, cut off, broken off, or cast forth, led forth, or gathered out etc,

 

[reneweddaybyday]

If a branch (believer) is not bearing fruit, the Vinedresser lifts up that branch and supports the branch so that branch may bear fruit.

This is complete nonsense and a lie perpetrated by false-grace believers; It's completely repudiated by the context of John 15:1-6.

Please read John 15:1-6 again:

In vss 2, 4, 5, Jesus refers to "branches". The "branches" are believers who abide in the Him as the Vine.

Then, all of a sudden in vs 6, Jesus refers to those who do not abide in him as "a man". Why all of a sudden does He change from "branch" to "man"? Because the "man" He is speaking about is not a "branch" (believer).


I was so blessed to see the devotional posted by Grace777x70 made that point/distinction:

When Jesus said, “anyone who does not abide in Me is cast out as a branch, withers, and is thrown into the fire,” He was not referring to fruitless Christians.

The person who wrote the devotional says that those who do not abide in the Lord Jesus Christ and who are cast out and thrown into the fire are not "fruitless Christians" (Christians who are not bearing fruit).


Here is what the writer of the devotional says about "fruitless Christians":

He was not referring to fruitless Christians. (They are lifted up.)

When I read "they are lifted up" I looked at the words he taketh away in John 15:2 and found the words he taketh away are the Greek word αἴρει, which means "to raise up, elevate, lift up".

That really blessed me!

 

[reneweddaybyday]

..................................This verse is clumsily translated in every version I have read. ..................................

According to who? You?

Yes and please excuse me for not clarifying that by stating so. I should have said something like "To me, this verse is clumsily translated in every version I have read".

Or do you have a source you want to name?

I just looked at parallel versions and they all read the same. In vs 2 the word αἴρει is translated he taketh away. The word αἴρει means "to raise up, elevate, lift up". When I saw that, it blessed me to see that the Vinedresser (Father) would help support those branches which have difficulty in bearing fruit.

Now this puzzles me, but since you appear to have an inside track to bible knowledge, perhaps you can answer it.
Why would God allow people to have a corrupted version for 2000 years?
If the bible is written by holy men under guidance of His spirit, why would He allow His spirit to make an error, and not correct it 'til you got here?
If you could answer that I'd appreciate it, thanks.

I do not believe God's Word is corrupted, nor do I believe when holy men of God wrote Scripture under guidance of His spirit there was any error.

I do believe the words he taketh away in vs 2 are mistranslated. I believe the word αἴρει should be translated "He lifts up" or "He supports". And I do believe Father does support us in our time of need so that we do not become weak. I know I sure have needed His support many times and received His support every time I needed it. Father is so faithful and loving and gracious and merciful and I am so weak.

 

[ladylynn]

[TABLE="width: 400, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 100%"]2 Corinthians 5:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 3"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 3, align: left"]When an Israelite brings an animal as his sin offering, he lays his hand on it before killing it. (Leviticus 4:1–4) By laying his hand on the sin offering, his sins are transferred to the innocent animal. The animal dies for his sins and he goes free.
In contrast, during the burnt offering, when the Israelite lays his hand on the animal (Leviticus 1:3–4), the beauty, worthiness and acceptance of the unblemished animal are transferred to him. God accepts the perfection of the animal sacrifice on his behalf to make atonement for him. Because God accepts the unblemished burnt offering, the offerer now has right standing before God.
Do you know that the two offerings speak of Jesus’ one offering of Himself when He hung on the cross? He is both our sin offering and burnt offering—“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us [as our sin offering], that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [as our burnt offering]”. The moment you put your faith in Him, just by His one sacrifice, your sins were transferred to Him, and His righteousness was transferred to you. That is the grace of God toward you!
As our sin offering, He offered Himself once and for all. (Romans 6:10) The sin offering was never a daily offering because God does not want His people to be sin-conscious. However, the burnt offering was both a morning and evening sacrifice (2 Chronicles 13:11) because God wants His people to be righteousness-conscious.
Beloved, God wants you to lay claim daily to Jesus as your burnt offering and say, “Father, I thank You that Jesus is my burnt offering. All that Jesus is before You—His righteousness, excellence, beauty and perfection—has been transferred to me. Jesus has Your unclouded favor, so I enjoy Your unclouded favor in my life. Jesus is the righteousness of God, so I am the righteousness of God in Christ. As He is before You, so am I.”
Because Jesus became your burnt offering, what He is to the Father today, you are! That is what it means to be in Christ
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


​Amen!!!

 

[PilgrimPassingThru]

These two are in the same context

John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

In John 15:2 mentions that which bears no fruit as fruit is by the Spirit, Paul said he that hath not the Spirit of Christ is none of his and so in John 15:2 the fruitless branches are taken away. John 15:6 showing a man as a cast forth branch (and is withered). What is withered? The fruit, just as bearing no fruit, or being "without fruit" is also shown in "whose fruit withereth" (as with trees also) much the same Jude 1:12.

Shown as "taken away" in John 15:2 or as a "cast forth" branch in John 15:6 and shows in the first The Husbandman (The Father) and in the second "men gathering" them and in Psalm 125:5 shows both in combination, The LORD "leading them" forth "with workers of inquity" which could equally be understood as heaping teachers up to themselves (according to their own lusts) after the same picture of not abiding twofold, in Christ and in His words.


This is what I see.

John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:[SUP]G142[/SUP] and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.


If you click [SUP]G142 shows [/SUP]the word below shows all the following under it not just the one in particular

I copied it below, the highlighted in red are also shown, and I havent filled all of them in yet as I comb through them just starting to take this up but these (are taken from the above)

1. to raise up, elevate, lift up (John 11:41, Luke 17:13, Acts 4:24)
   1. to raise from the ground, take up: stones (John 8:59)
   2. to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand (Rev 10:5)
   3. to draw up: a fish (Mat 17:27)
2. to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear (John 5:8-12, Mark 15:21)
3. to bear away what has been raised, carry off (Mark 13:15-16)
   1. to move from its place
      
   2. to take off or away what is attached to anything (Mat 9:16, 21:43, John 15:2, Luke 8:12, 11:22, Mark 2:21, 4:15, John 10:18, 16:22)
   3. to remove (Mat 21:21)
   4. to carry off, carry away with one
   5. to appropriate what is taken
   6. to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force
   7. to take and apply to any use
   8. to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence
   9. cause to cease (Col 2:14)

Contains a list of what it covers which would depend on where or how its used

Then checking the same out here Strong's Greek: 142. αἴρω (airó) -- to raise, take up, lift

Narrowing it down, shows it comes up under the word αἴρει then shows you how its used in the below

This other link shows the number of occurances here below (which is 8 of them)

Greek Concordance: αἴρει (airei) -- 8 Occurrences



Posting the 8 occurances as they are listed below (to compare the general use)


Mark 2:21 (αἴρει )... the new piece that filled it up taketh away G142 from the old, and the rent is made worse.

Mat 21:43 (αἴρει ) ... The kingdom of God shall be taken [SUP]G142 [/SUP]from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

John 15:2 (αἴρει ) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away [SUP]G142[/SUP]

Luke 8:12 (αἴρει )... then cometh the devil, and taketh away [SUP]G142[/SUP] the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

Luke 11:22 (αἴρει )... he taketh [SUP]G142[/SUP] from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

Mark 4:15 (αἴρει )... Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away [SUP]G142[/SUP] the word that was sown in their hearts.

John 10:18 (αἴρει )...No man taketh [SUP]G142[/SUP] it from me, but I lay it down of myself.

John 16:22 (αἴρει )... your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh [SUP]G142[/SUP] from you.


None of which seem to show this support. I cant even find support in the context, let alone any of the comparitives when you look at the previous examples posted. Whether for trees without fruit, or that which beareth thorns or briers (which is rejected, not accepted) knowing also faith is also fruit of the Spirit and since without faith its impossble to please Him and we know branches are shown broken off for unbelief as well. Hebrews also says ,Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. I dont see how that might be considered far fetched to take the words, "he taketh away" (as far as branches bearing no fruit are concerned) all things considered. Same with a tree planted in Luke 13:8 and the Vinedresser says, "Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: (lift it up? no) cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. I dont see much is a difference between people bearing fruit as trees or as branches that way.

 

[Grace777x70]

Before you replied I had already edited the post, so it wouldn't confuse people like yourself(reread my post again). Perhaps I should have worded it differently and said this user accuses the brethren, just as Satan accuses the brethren. That's what I was trying to convey.

"You just outed yourself" is an accusation. That is what this user has been doing to many users on CC for a long time now. Telling those who have their sins washed in the Lamb's blood are in danger of going to hell.

You can tell when people are acing like wolves by the fact that they like to tear at sheep. Wolves have blood in their mouth by the words they speak to tear apart others in the body of Christ. They slander and have malice-filled words. If you want to see someone acting like a wolf - watch the tearing and biting words that come from their mouths.

 

[Grace777x70]

Please read John 15:1-6 again:

In vss 2, 4, 5, Jesus refers to "branches". The "branches" are believers who abide in the Him as the Vine.

Then, all of a sudden in vs 6, Jesus refers to those who do not abide in him as "a man". Why all of a sudden does He change from "branch" to "man"? Because the "man" He is speaking about is not a "branch" (believer).


I was so blessed to see the devotional posted by Grace777x70 made that point/distinction:

The person who wrote the devotional says that those who do not abide in the Lord Jesus Christ and who are cast out and thrown into the fire are not "fruitless Christians" (Christians who are not bearing fruit).


Here is what the writer of the devotional says about "fruitless Christians":

When I read "they are lifted up" I looked at the words he taketh away in John 15:2 and found the words he taketh away are the Greek word αἴρει, which means "to raise up, elevate, lift up".

That really blessed me!

The message of the grace of Christ offends those that depend on their own good works for salvation. You are in Christ and no one can take you out of His hand nor the Father's hand. Don't be discouraged by those that attack you for believing in the goodness and grace of Christ in His finished work for us. All is well.....

 

[Grace777x70]

Here is a good grace-based teaching on unfruitful branches. We need to look at scripture through the "lens" of the finished work of Christ and what His grace has brought to us.

What Happens to Unfruitful Branches?

Jesus said, “if you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15, NASB). In the hands of a religious person this becomes a conditional statement: You have to keep the commands of Jesus to prove your love. The problem with that, however, is the commands of Jesus are impossible to keep.

As we saw in our last post, Jesus said anyone who keeps His commands, “will do what I have been doing and even greater things.” Well Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. Can you? On your own it’s impossible, but that’s okay because you know what? Jesus has a plan. In the very next verse He begins to tell us what it is:
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever.” (Jn 14:16)

Who is the Helper? He’s the Holy Spirit, the One who empowers us to show and tell the gospel of the kingdom (Rms 15:19). (Note that the Holy Spirit doesn’t come and go. Jesus said He will “be with you forever”!) Jesus then tells the disciples that on the day that the Holy Spirit is given,

“… you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” (Jn 14:20 )

This is the most awesome, incredible thing in the world! This is the mystery that Paul sought to make known to the Gentiles – Christ is in you! And you’re in Him! Do you need a picture to help you see this? Then look at the picture on the right…

Jesus said He is the true vine and we are the branches. Look at the picture and draw a mental circle around the vine. Do you see any branches that are not part of the vine? The vine is bigger than any branch but there’s no branch that is not also vine. Touch any branch and you are touching the vine. This is how Hudson Taylor describes it:

“Here, I feel, is the secret: not asking how I am to get sap out of the Vine into myself, but remembering that Jesus is the Vine – the root, stem, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, fruit all indeed… I have not got to make myself a branch. The Lord Jesus tells me I am a branch. I am part of him and I have just to believe it and act upon it.” (Quoted in The Normal Christian Life, pp.56-7)

Now Jesus knows that you can’t bear fruit – “no branch can bear fruit by itself” (Jn 15:4) – but He plans to bear His fruit through us. What’s our part in this? He wants us to abide in Him, which means to dwell or stay put.

It means don’t run off and try to do your own thing in your own strength. What’s His part? He plans to live His life through us and go on healing the sick and delivering the oppressed and doing all the other heaven-on-earth things He did when He was here in the flesh (Mk 16:17-18).

Are you a branch with no fruit?

What happens to unfruitful branches? Jesus said the branches that don’t bear fruit are “lifted up” (Jn 15:2). They are not cut off – that is a bad translation that would’ve made no sense to a Mediterranean listener! A viticulturalist would never throw away a branch for that would be like amputating part of the vine. (If you’re thinking of suckers, see my note in the comments below.)

Unfruitful branches are lifted out of the dirt and re-dressed so they can be nourished by the sun. Sticking with that metaphor, the reason why some Christians are barren is that they’re facedown in the dirt and not looking at the Son. They’re busy, distracted, stressed, and have wandered from their protos agape, their primary love. When believers lose sight of Christ’s love they tend to become religious, just like the Ephesians.

The next thing you know, they’re thinking that they have do stuff like obey His commandments to prove their love or earn His.
What is the remedy for unfruitful branches? God is.

He is the Gardener who does the lifting up. He is not there to slash and burn but to prune and lift. As you begin to bear fruit it will be for His glory, not yours. If you’ve been distracted doing the dead works of religion, just stop and come back to your first love which is His love.

His love is like food for us. We are energized by it. I might tell myself that I am writing these posts because of my love for Him, but in truth, it’s His love for me that compels me to tell others the good news. I would not love Him except that He has first loved me (1 Jn 4:19).

God believes in you!

When Jesus said, “if you love me, you will keep my commandments,” He was not making a threat but a promise! He was saying, “If you love me you will do the works and greater works that I have done because I’m the one who’s going to do them through you. Trust me! Believe in me! Abide in me!”

Why does Jesus say we will do greater works? Because 2000 years ago there was only one Christ, but now there are millions of Little Christs. Back then He was just a tender shoot (Is 53:2), but now He’s a mighty vine with branches reaching into every place.

Back then God lived in just one man, but now He lives in millions of men, women and children all around the world and He wants out! What are the greater works? They are the works of Jesus done millions of times over, every day, all over the world by ordinary branches like you and me.

Aren’t you amazed that God operates this way – through people? It’s like God is saying, “I believe in you. I have confidence that you will come to rest in my love and allow me to reveal myself to you and through you.” Carnal religion says it’s all about you and your faith so you’d better perform, but the gospel of grace declares it’s about Him and His faith so rest! Paul understood this which is why he said, “the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me” (Gal 2:20).

Branches can not bear fruit but vines can and do so naturally, without any effort. As a branch you carry the nature of the True Vine in you and He will bear His fruit through you. He promised! Do you believe Him?

At this point you probably want me to tell you what to do. “What’s the takeaway? What must I do?” We Christians are so hung up on working for God that we don’t know what to do with Jesus when He says, “just abide.”

Okay, here’s something you can do. Write this down. The next time you’re faced with a problem or trial, take a moment to let Jesus love on you. Allow the Lifter of your head to turn your gaze from the dirt back to Himself and then bask in His love. He is already shining on you. He has already been gracious to you and blessed you and given you His peace. Receive it!

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (Jn 15:9)

https://escapetoreality.org/2011/06/05/what-happens-to-unfruitful-branches/

 

[Grace777x70]

The very first usage of the Greek "airo" means to lift up.

Lexicon :: Strong's G142 - airō


αἴρω


[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]Transliteration
airō[/TD]
[TD]Pronunciation
ī'-rō (Key) [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Part of Speech
verb[/TD]
[TD]Root Word (Etymology)
A primary root [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Dictionary Aids
Vine's Expository Dictionary: View Entry
TDNT Reference: 1:185,28
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"]KJV Translation Count — Total: 102x
The KJV translates Strongs G142 in the following manner: take up (32x), take away (25x), take (25x), away with (5x), lift up (4x), bear (3x), misc (8x).
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"]Outline of Biblical Usage [?]

1. 
   to raise up, elevate, lift up
   1. to raise from the ground, take up: stones
   2. to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand
   3. to draw up: a fish
2. to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear
3. 
   to bear away what has been raised, carry off
   1. to move from its place
   2. to take off or away what is attached to anything
   3. to remove
   4. to carry off, carry away with one
   5. to appropriate what is taken
   6. to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force
   7. to take and apply to any use
   8. to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence
   9. cause to cease

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]