So how would you understand Galatians 6:8-9?
How about 1 Timothy 5:8?
What about John 15:6?
Please give me a word for word commentary on these verses.
Side Note:
Please keep in mind that Jesus says in John 15:2 that every branch IN ME that bears not fruit.
IN ME. They are IN THE VINE and they are not bearing fruit.
So how would you explain this one away?
How about 1 Timothy 5:8?
What about John 15:6?
Please give me a word for word commentary on these verses.
Side Note:
Please keep in mind that Jesus says in John 15:2 that every branch IN ME that bears not fruit.
IN ME. They are IN THE VINE and they are not bearing fruit.
So how would you explain this one away?
Reveals the intimacy of the relationship between Christ and the believer. They are a part of Him. It also reveals the great care God exercises in the lives of His children.
The symbolism of husbandry is employed to show how God works in the believers life. The vine is of course Jesus and in salvation we are grafted into Him. But we are not like Him. We must be conformed to His image. So the things about us that don't conform are cut off. And as His life begins to flow into us, we begin to bear fruit. But to produce a better harvest, we are continually being conformed or purged.
As a result of this relationship, verse 3 says we are clean. Verse 4 says He now abides in us, and we in Him. In this relationship abiding is all we can do because we are no longer unassisted. Our whole existence now is tied to Christ. We have no existence other than in Him. We can do nothing apart from Him. This is how intimately the believer is tied to Jesus.
Now we come to verse 6. Note carefully what it says...if any man abide not in me...Who is this referring to? It can't be the believer. All believers abide in Christ. Their whole existence is tied to Him. It is speaking of unbelievers. They are the ones who aren't abiding in Christ. Notice it doesn't call them branches. It merely says they are cast forth as a branch...meaning they are cast away in the same manner that the unsuitable parts of the believer are. The symbolism of the fire is representative of judgment.
Verse 7 picks up again on the intimate relationship between the believer and Jesus. Lots more there but this should get you started.
Again, context is key and wording is important. A quick read can lead one to believe the verse is speaking about the believer...but it's not. If you weren't predisposed to believe that believers aren't secure in Christ, you might have investigated a little more thoroughly. A relationship with Christ in Him is no small thing.