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NASB | John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]. |
Subject: John 15:2, "cut off" or "lift up"? |
Bible Note: First, I have a problem with your label; "like all other eternal security advocates", as if it is cultic to adhere to this ideology. Any tree pruner, or gardener would understand the scripture verses in John 15:2-4 . Jesus is the Vine, ie the truth, the way, the life, no one goes to the Father except through Jesus. You must abide in him to receive life. One must stay planted in Jesus and His word to receive life. Romans 5:8, But God commandeth his love toward us, in that, while ye were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The words taketh away; airo, does point to lift up, to raise, to take away. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, to be a branch, one must be grafted into the vine. How does one get grafted, it is by belief. According to Romans 5:8, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. When we first believe, not all are fruitful right away, some need to be cleaned up first. But they are still branches, and would be referred to as "in me" by Jesus, yet still they may not be very fruitful. After a believer grows, and their footing is stronger, then pruning begins. A tree thickens when it is pruned, as a believer grows when their faith is tested. Eternal security advocates also have the verse John 6:37 to support their understanding of John 15:2. In John 6:37 he states "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will no wise cast out", supports that he would not cut off a branch. In Christ Xjjeeper |