Fruitfulness is Huge

Jesus is the giver of Life and his Father stands behind history as sovereign. So says John 15:1. But if these things are true (and they are), what does it matter? How do these facts impact our day-to-day lives? Answer: they move fruitfulness to the place of utmost importance. Let's examine how this works. If true Life (with a capital “L”) comes from Jesus, then we are left with only two options. Either we are connected to him and bearing evidence that Life is within us, or we are disconnected and fruitless. We can also frame this in terms of solely relating to the church, as Jesus does in vs 2-3. That is, all those who appear to be "in" Christ (see 2a) either are not properly or truly connected as evidenced by fruitlessness, or they are producing qualities that testify to this true connection with the Vine. And secondly, if the Father of this Life-giver really reigns over history as sovereign, then surely he will be relating to people who are said to be in Jesus based upon the fruitfulness of their lives, as that fruitfulness will confirm or contradict their claim. Of course, ultimately the fruit is not the deciding factor of the authenticity of one's faith—that comes from via acceptance of Jesus' word (vs 3). But fruitfulness is the faithful evidence. And the love that God has for his Son leads his sovereign hand to make cuts in the lives of all men so as to magnify how great is the Life he gives. For the fake, they are cut off, lest as forgeries they dishonor the name of the Life-giver. For the fruitful, the are cut into (via trials), so as to maximize the flow of Life and the abundance of fruit. Fruitfulness is huge. So abide in Jesus, receive the pruning, and bear much fruit—for the glory of the Life-giver and his Sovereign Father!

notes

Main point summary

The Father of Jesus removes unfruitful people who otherwise would be thought to be in Christ, and painfully refines those bearing fruit to become even more fruitful.

vs 1-3

John 15:1-3

esv

mine

“I am the true vine,

I am like a vine

and my Father is the vinedresser.

And my Father is like a vinedresser

series

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away,

Therefore , [the principle is:] unfruitful branched my Father takes away

and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes,

but on the other hand , fruitful branches he prunes off bad leaves, etc

that it may bear more fruit.

in order that they may be more fruitful.

actionpurpose

alternative

Already you are clean

However you are already pruned/cleansed.

because of the word that I have spoken to you.

via the things I've have been saying to you.

actionmanner

concessive

inference

My Father, as vinedresser, takes away unfruitful branches/people and increases the fruit of the fruitful.

discourse

Comments

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