Today, the reply uses trees and vines to clarify the demands for commitment and dependence from those who become members joined to the body of Christ. Correctly understood, eternal life comes by a relationship of continual exchange and interaction with divinity that remain unbroken and uninterrupted, even by sleep (i.e., death). A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Breakthrough” (Level 6 with 15,745 points, a member since June 29, 2013) posted the following:
How do you understand this verse?
"In me you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing."
To me it means you have to bear fruit for God if you want to be successful in your life
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13: 24-30, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Rebellious Fig Tree? (12/21/2016); Mustard Seed Faith? (01/16/2014); The Judges Who Condemned Jesus? (01/17/2014); The Barren Tree? (12/06/2013); Fruits From a Barren Tree? (12/07/2013); All Flesh is Grass? (10/29/2013); The Root of Jesse (01/03/2013); Newness of Spirit? (01/04/2013)
“Breakthrough”, for many developing and young Christians the verse you seem to have in mind is a poetic metaphor that speaks like a parable to the joining and unity that must exist for all those who come to Jesus seeking “new life.” Those who join the church are counseled to never leave the church. While the boughs and limbs of a tree bear up and display its fruit, the life of the fruit is not from either of those two members. A Christian believer must become permanently attached to the Savior in the same way a living branch or limb extends from the trunk of a tree. The branches and limbs are not embedded within the ground, and may not draw nourishment and water directly from the soil. The trunk of a tree provides protection to the capillaries and other soft tube-like structures that transfer material from the soil below to the leaves and fruit of the tree that are above. Like stems and twigs of the same tree, the branches and limbs must continually receive substance transferred through the process and strength of the roots—the life within the fruit does not come from the trunk, the branches, or the limbs.
Vines are very different from trees in the thickness and rigidity of their form. While many vines do not display a strong, hard feature like a trunk that can ensure its survival, because they are thin and light-weight, they can send out feelers that allow them to cling on walls, trees, and other objects to become elevated to where they may receive the sun. Despite the great size they sometimes achieve, grapes, pumpkins, and watermelon may grow on vines thinner than the spokes of a bicycle. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) John 15: 4-9, King James Version (KJV): 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. 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. 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. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
(2.) Romans 8: 5-10, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
(3.) Galatians 5: 19-23, KJV: 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Matthew 5: 16, KJV: 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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