ABIDING WITH FRUIT - Part 5 of 5
26/08/13 11:35
John 15:2
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
As with the understanding of “Abiding in the Vine”, that we looked at in part 1 and 2 of this study, there are clear commands to produce fruit, or witness of Christ; which is the “type” in the equation, and of those who don’t produce fruit, or add to the Kingdom of God as the “anti-type” of the equation.
In the parable of “Swept Clean and Empty”, Christ is talking of Jonah and Nineveh, referring to how Nineveh preached of Jonah who saved them; yet one greater than Jonah has come (Matt 12:40-41). We are told that Nineveh will judge the generation of those who refuse to teach of Christ. In the parable of “The Sower” we see the “anti-type” to the ones who bear fruit, these are those who the cares and riches of this world choke out the seed (Matt 13:22). We see a parable of “The Talents” (Matt 25:14-30), which the “wicked and unfaithful servant”, who did not invest in the Kingdom of God, was cast into outer darkness. In the parable of “The Rich Man and Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31), Christ was not talking of riches of money and things; otherwise this parable would say all poor are going to Heaven, riches in the Kingdom of God is salvation and knowledge. The one with the riches refused to give to the one begging in need and that “rich man” went to hell because of it.
It is clear, by Holy Scripture, that we are to separate ourselves from the actions and things of this world; and actively witness of Christ, building and investing in the Kingdom of God. Those who fail to do either are cut off from the Kingdom and cast into outer darkness.
Why would we not want to pursue these things? Knowing of where we were, where we’ve come to, and where we are going, why would we not want to study more of who brought us here and tell others of our story? Those who fail to do either, obviously do not appreciate the gift given.
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
As with the understanding of “Abiding in the Vine”, that we looked at in part 1 and 2 of this study, there are clear commands to produce fruit, or witness of Christ; which is the “type” in the equation, and of those who don’t produce fruit, or add to the Kingdom of God as the “anti-type” of the equation.
In the parable of “Swept Clean and Empty”, Christ is talking of Jonah and Nineveh, referring to how Nineveh preached of Jonah who saved them; yet one greater than Jonah has come (Matt 12:40-41). We are told that Nineveh will judge the generation of those who refuse to teach of Christ. In the parable of “The Sower” we see the “anti-type” to the ones who bear fruit, these are those who the cares and riches of this world choke out the seed (Matt 13:22). We see a parable of “The Talents” (Matt 25:14-30), which the “wicked and unfaithful servant”, who did not invest in the Kingdom of God, was cast into outer darkness. In the parable of “The Rich Man and Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31), Christ was not talking of riches of money and things; otherwise this parable would say all poor are going to Heaven, riches in the Kingdom of God is salvation and knowledge. The one with the riches refused to give to the one begging in need and that “rich man” went to hell because of it.
It is clear, by Holy Scripture, that we are to separate ourselves from the actions and things of this world; and actively witness of Christ, building and investing in the Kingdom of God. Those who fail to do either are cut off from the Kingdom and cast into outer darkness.
Why would we not want to pursue these things? Knowing of where we were, where we’ve come to, and where we are going, why would we not want to study more of who brought us here and tell others of our story? Those who fail to do either, obviously do not appreciate the gift given.
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