Based on the LGG Study, Abiding in Jesus, w2d3
Read and SOAP: John 15:6
If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up.
John 15:6 NLT
I’m sure you’ve heard it said, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” There is much truth in this statement, which came to mind as I was reading through some commentaries on today’s passage. One particular statement about putting on an appearance of faith but not really being connected to the True Vine highlighted the truth more than any other. Sadly, I have not only been the one who thought someone was connected to Jesus when they weren’t, but I have also been the one who appeared connected when, in reality, I was just going through the motions.
Why does it matter?
Earlier in our journey, as Bibleref.com points out, “Jesus distinguished between branches in a vine and branches, which abide in the vine.” In other words, “Merely being close to the source of life is not enough; neither is being intertwined with other branches. For putting on the appearance of faith is not the same as being born again.1” It is crucial to understand this, as “Only branches truly connected to the source of life, the true vine, will bear fruit.” Another critical and difficult truth of Jesus’ teaching here is that – “A good vinedresser (gardener) cuts out those dead, fruitless branches and destroys them. The analogy Jesus presents here is not about the loss of salvation, which is impossible. Rather, His message is about those who ‘put on’ an appearance of faith, but are disconnected from the True Vine that gives eternal life.”
We must remember, “bearing true spiritual fruit” is only possible through the Vine – Christ ‘in’ us. And – that fruit, like any other good works or holiness, is always presented as evidence of salvation, never as a requirement for it.
Bibleref.com/John 15:6
Reflection question: Are there areas in your life where you feel disconnected or spiritually dry? How might renewing your connection with Jesus help restore these areas and allow you to bear the fruit He desires for you?
The More We Know
While there are many in the church today who claim to be Christians, if all they produce is bad, rotten fruit, they are not true disciples of Jesus and have never been attached to the true Vine. … At the same time, we may be confident that if we have truly surrendered ourselves to Jesus, the Father will make sure that we bear fruit. He has promised it. He will judge those who don’t belong, but He prunes and disciplines those who do. He will cut away the dead branches but cultivate the living ones.” From the LGG Journal, p75
For more insight on today’s journey, be sure and read today’s LGG Blog Post
- “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:21-23 ↩︎
Me From the Inside Out 