John 15:1-7
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
The Parable Explained
Jesus said that God is his Father; he is the vine and his Father is the gardener. The branches that do not bear fruit will be cut down by his Father. As for the branches that do bear fruit, God will prune them to make them even more fruitful and clean. People are cleansed by the Word, so we need to remain in Christ. And then he will also remain in us.
When we are united with the Lord, even though he gives us things, they still belong to him. So he can freely give us what we ask for. However, for people who have not become one with him, he doesn’t really give them things because when he gives what is his, it won’t belong to him anymore.
If the branches are not attached to the vine and don’t bear fruit, then they are dead branches. Such branches are dragged outside and burned. Therefore, if you are not united with Jesus and do not bear various fruits of faith, then you are like a dead branch that will be cut down and burned.
Various Types of Fruit
Being clean is one kind of fruit that we can bear. In order to be clean, we have to repent and pursue righteousness. Being patient and restraining your tongue and having wholesome speech are fruits of the lips. Other kinds of fruit include righteousness, making peace, faithfulness, being merciful, evangelizing lives, edifying and taking care of others, praying, giving glory to God through praise, overcoming tribulations, defeating Satan, and becoming one with the God and Jesus. Reading the Word, realizing it, and taking action on it is also a type of fruit that you can bear.
Detachment Means Death; Unity Is Life
Becoming one with God and the Lord is resurrection. Such people are the ones who have come to life. When you are cut off from Them, you become a dead person. You will be unable to bear fruit on your own.
For all trees and branches, a sprout comes out from the main trunk that grows into a branch, and fruit is borne from a branch. If you are separated, the nutrients from the trunk cannot go to the branch, so the branch will die. A branch that has fallen off the tree cannot bear fruit.
God is the fundamental owner. The Holy Spirit and the Holy Son are also fundamental owners. In order to bear fruit, you need to become one with Them. So become one with the Savior God sent. Then you will succeed and bear much fruit. Then you will not be cut off.
