John 15:1-8
Jesus describes his relationship both to the Father, and also to all Christian believers in John 15:1-8. The passage relies on a central, extended metaphor of Jesus as the Vine of Life. Jesus is the "true vine," tended by the Father as the supreme gardener. God the Father tends to the vine, carefully pruning it and ensuring long-term growth and healthy development of fruit and future branches. Pruning the vine implies removing sin, offering a method of spiritual purification for those who dwell within Jesus. Jesus as vine represents Jesus as Son, for "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit," (John 15:8). The vine is an extension of the Father, and the Father provides the vine with the sun and nourishment needed for spiritual growth. Moreover, the fruit on the vine symbolizes the disciples: "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." The metaphor of bearing fruit can be applied to the individual...
Salvation is attained only via abiding fully within Christ. "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me," (John 15:4). Christ's Word is the only pathway to salvation: "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you," (John 15:3). Belief and faith in Christ are prerequisites for salvation, too: "without me ye can do nothing," (John 15: 5). Those who do not dwell in Christ spiritually die; their branches are "withered," and "men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned," (John 15:6). Without salvation in Christ, one perishes. Salvation is also explained in terms of God's being able to prune that which is no longer useful or fruitful. "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he…
