Not By Works

All our Lord requires of us is to continue walking in the light. It is not a grievous thing. Actually it is rather warm and wonderful. We are blessed to have such a high calling in Christ.

John
15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.

You are correct in your assertion that vv.2-4 speak of fruit. I agree with that, but v.6 speaks of the end of the man himself, not just his fruit.

They will cast themselves out. Who would do such a foolish thing? Not I, but the Bible says it is possible to return to the mire and vomit.

It is about fruit bearing and the end of believers who do not do it. We agree on 99%. Who do you believe these men represent? What do you believe fire represents? You and I both have blessed assurance, but some have no desire to do more than what they feel is the absolute minimum. God knows who they are. He will say to them, "I never knew you. Depart into the fire." Godspeed, dear sister.

What about the verse where branches are thrown into the fire and burned? John 15:6~

If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away
and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

He wants us to walk in the light yes. But he also knows we are weak, and we will not do it all the time, that’s why he gives us assurance as our father

I had a picture come to mind of walking in the light. The picture of walking but also stumbling. When we fall/stumble while walking in the light, we are still in the light.

And who is always there to pick us up?

God...
He will hold us up with His Righteous Right hand.
...xox...

Amen and he said he will
Never let go
I am reminded of holding my kinda hand when they tripped and fell picking them up And brushing them off The more I was there they More they trusted me.

Nor will He break a bruised reed , nor blow out a flickering wick...
I love reading that Scripture , it shows so much gentleness of Gods nature...
...xox...

Nor will He break a bruised reed , nor blow out a flickering wick...
I love reading that Scripture , it shows so much gentleness of Gods nature...
...xox...

My pastor quoted that verse at my nine year cake in AA

Congrats on your nine months! Yay, you!!!

And who is always there to pick us up?

The Lord, of course.

Amen, and he will NEVER leave us nor forsake us

I really like this song a lot.

Amen, and he will NEVER leave us nor forsake us

I just wish all Christians would maintain that attitude toward God. He wants to use all of us to produce fruit with, but some will turn away from the faith and walk no more with Him. This is called apostacy.

John 6:66 From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

We will see much more of this as the last day approaches. John 15 certainly was given as a lesson and message to all of us. It was a message to the Jews then, but is also for us now. Do not put my loving Lord to a foolish test.

Hebrews
6:4 For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame.
6:7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
6:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose end [is] to be burned.

It does not get any plainer..........Our righteous works have ZERO to do with Salvation!

English Standard Version
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Berean Study Bible
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Berean Literal Bible
He saved us, not by works in righteousness that we did, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

New American Standard Bible
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

King James Bible
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Our works cannot save us,for our works is as filthy rags,and there is none that does good,no not one,and all are sinners and come short of the glory of God.

So no matter what we do we cannot ever do good enough to receive salvation.

In that position the only thing we can do to correct this position is to have faith,that is why we are saved by faith for that is all we can do,for our works cannot do it.

All we have to do is believe.

Paul said we are not saved by works,but by accepting Christ,which he was addressing Gentiles,and their false religions,that thought they could have favor with God by their religious ways,but Paul said you are not saved by those works but by confessing Christ.

Paul was speaking from a fleshy perspective,not saved by works,and James is speaking from a spiritual perspective,accepting Christ,and being led of the Spirit,justified by works and not faith alone.

If a person does confess Christ,they only have to love people for love is the fulfilling of the law,which is what James is saying,and that is why he said if you do not feed someone when you can,then how do you have faith,and any work they would do apart from that,loving people,like if they go by Old Testament physical ordinances,or do something that another religion would do has no bearing on their salvation,but a waste of time.

Paul,not saved by works,James,but led of the Spirit loving people to have faith active in our life.