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NASB | John 15:6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 15:6 "If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. |
Subject: Freeze-dried Salvation? |
Bible Note: Barb, Your commentary brings to mind one of several cautions in scripture: Prov 14:12 12There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. NAS Ephesians 2:8-10tells us this: The gentiles, who previously had no hope, were offered salvation through faith in Christ. This was the master plan of God and could not have been brought about through anything they had done. Christians are God's workmanship, created for good works, which God commands they perform. Assuming John 15 is talking about the spiritual growth of Christians, as you suggest, would God not be unfair to cast off and burn the slow learners? Those people were "in Christ" (Gal3:27), they were part of the vine or body of believers, but....they did not bear fruit (i.e. they did not work, put forth effort, preach the word, produce fruit that SHOULD REMAIN (John 15:16), not just good deeds. Scripture tells us that obedience is mandatory; that we are to prove God's will; to work out our salvation; bear fruit for God; understand God's commandments; be of one mind...the list is long. Are you willing to put forth the effort? AO |