João 15

João 15

Morris - The true Christian will bear good fruit; the pseudo-Christian will not bear good, lasting fruit and will therefore ultimately be cast into the fire and burned (John 15:6), just like the pseudo-wheat in the parable of wheat and tares (Matthew 13:28-30, 41-42). Note the threefold categories of Christians: (1) fruit-bearing (John 15:2); (2) more fruit-bearing (John 15:2); and (3) much fruit-bearing (John 15:5). These seem to correspond to the three categories of wheat-producing Christians: those producing thirtyfold, sixtyfold and hundredfold returns (Matthew 13:8,23). The "purging" or "pruning" obviously refers to bringing whatever pressures on the believer may be needed in order to lead him into a more fruitful Christian life and witness. God removes the dead wood from his church and disciplines the life of the believer Merrill Tenney has an interesting way to phrases takes away and prunes - Dead wood is worse than fruitlessness, for dead wood can harbor disease and decay. An untrimmed vine will develop long rambling branches that produce little fruit because most of the strength of the vine is given to growing wood. The vine-grower is concerned that the vine be healthy and productive. The caring process is a picture of the divine dealing with human life. God removes the dead wood from His church and disciplines the life of the believer so that it is directed into fruitful activity....Judas was an example of a branch that was cut off. (BORROW The Expositor's Bible Commentary PAGE 350) (Bolding added) THOUGHT - Dearly beloved, are you going through a trial (most of us are either in a trial, coming out of a trial or getting ready to go into a trial)? If so, it could be the Father, the Vinedresser, the Owner of the vineyard, is pruning you (disciplining you Heb 12:5-10) that you might bear more fruit. Hebrews 12:11 calls it the "peaceful fruit of righteousness." Bob