₦airaland Forum

Yadid:
Before you jump from scripture to scripture, hermeneutics demands that you first understand a single text within it's own complete context first. Your assertion about John 15;6 does not even follow the post. Now you have gone ahead to add other verses to it, taken out of context.

In your first post, you made a very important point about fruitfulness, which is the truth that Jesus actually wants us to be fruitful and that's why He called us in the first place. I commend that.

In response to your reaction...

Don't forget that John 15:2 doesn't have it's own context outside the entire chapter and even the entire Bible. Remember that the Book of John, just like almost every other book of the Bible, was not originally written in chapters and verses. The book of John was originally written as a letter from John to a specific audience (ie Jews and believers in the diaspora). Hence, you see why you can never accurately teach or explain one verse of the Bible in isolation. At best, you will make the word say something completely different from what the Author (the Holy Spirit) intended.

The same Jesus who spoke in verse 2 clearly stated in verse 6 that people will be cast out, become withered and be thrown into the fire if they don't abide in Him.

If you maintain that verse 2 doesn't connote being literally taken away, then you are clearly saying that Jesus contradicted Himself as we read further down in verse 6. And we all know that scriptures cannot be broken (John 10:35). Jesus started a very critical conversation on fruitfulness in verse 2 and then went further in verse 6 to show us how to be fruitful as well as the consequences of not being connected to Him.

Remember, a branch cannot be fruitful if it doesn't abide (remain) in the vine. It is commonsense that the branch which doesn't remain in the vine cannot be nourished. It will eventually die a natural death and wither away. It will then be discarded by the farmer because it will be useless, occupying good space.

Many errors have been created because some persons have interpreted one verse of the Bible outside the surrounding verses and even the entire Bible. Hence, attempting to explain 15:2 alone will only create confusion.

Thanks for sharing this insight.

I think you should look at the passage in context of John 15 as well as the fuller context (which is the entirety of Jesus's teachings and commands)

Consider verse 6:

If Jesus will never cast out anyone who doesn't bear fruit, then what explanation do you have for the phrase "cast out"?

"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."
John 15:6 NKJV

In view of your explanation, kindly consider the below verse:

"I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit."
Matthew 21:43 NLT

Please bear in mind that the audience Jesus was referring to in this context had the kingdom. However, it would be taken away from them according to Jesus and given to those who will bear fruit.

When a man doesn't have the kingdom of God, what would the man have? What is the state of the man who no longer possesses the Kingdom?

Please take your time to read the story that led to the conclusion of Jesus in the above verse.

After sharing the parable of the wicked vinedressers with his audience, Jesus asked them a very critical question:

“When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?”
Matthew 21:40 NLT

His audience then responded:

“He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.”
Matthew 21:41 NLT.

The audience clearly judged themselves with the answer they gave. They clearly said what should be done to those who don't bear fruits. And Jesus never went against their reply. Rather, He further emphasized it.


Lastly, going back to the passage you referenced (John 15:2), you must realise that the meaning of the Greek word, "airō" isn't limited to "to raise up, elevate, lift up" It literally means "to raise up or take away"

When a vinedresser notices that a branch isn't bearing fruit, he will raise it to a vantage position where it can be well nourished and exposed to favourable conditions. However, if after all the patient assistance, the branch refuses to bear fruit, the vinedresser will be left with no choice but to take it away so it doesn't introduce corruption into the vine.

Please read another parable of Jesus below that further explains this:

"Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”
Luke 13:6‭-‬9 NLT

Notice in the above that The Master gave the fig tree ample opportunity to bear fruit. However, he also stipulated conditions that would determine whether or not He would allow it remain on his farm.

There are things the believer must do in Christ to be fruitful. Fruitfulness is not automatic.

"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
II Peter 1:5‭-‬8 NKJV

Verse 10 says:
"So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away."
2 Peter 1:10 NLT

The believer who doesn't work hard to become fruitful (or become diligent as stated by KJV) will fall away

LETTER TO THE PUBLIC

THE UNBEARABLE NUISANCE CONSTITUTED BY THE MOUNTAIN OF FIRE AND MIRACLES (MFM) CHURCH, BESIDE TOTAL GRACE OIL, OPPOSITE LAGOS BUSINESS SCHOOL, ALASIA, LEKKI-EPE EXPRESSWAY, ETI-OSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT

DATE: SATURDAY, 21ST OF JANUARY, 2023.
TIME: 8:48 am

As a resident in the neighbourhood of the MFM opposite Lagos Business School, Alasia, please let me make certain things clear, just in case the church thinks I'm an atheist, anti-Christ or anti-prayers for writing this letter or reporting them to LASEPA...

I'm not against praying. I pray every day. I pray in my room. I could be noisy when I get into intense prayers. However, I shut my doors and windows when my prayers get intense. If my prayers are now bringing UNNECESSARY DISCOMFORT to my neighbours, am I accurately representing Christ?

Will Jesus (in whose name MFM is praying) disturb His neighbours with His prayers if He were to be physically present here today?

On the contrary, the Bible tells us that Jesus would go into a secluded area to pray, so as not to disturb anyone or be disturbed by anyone.👇🏽
*"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer."*
Luke 5:16 NLT

So, we see that the MFM church in my neighbourhood isn't following the pattern of Jesus in whose name they claim to be praying.

Please can you communicate to them that they can pray without constituting a nuisance in the neighbourhood?

The Bible also tells us:

*"If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."*
Romans 12:18 NKJV

Is their noisy way of praying and disturbing the neighbourhood a sign that they are willing to live at peace with all men?

Jesus commanded the church to preach the gospel to all mankind. But how will the church successfully spread this gospel (goodnews) of peace to their next-door neighbours if they fail to live at peace with them?

By causing a nuisance in yhe neighbourhood aren't they working against the very gospel they claim to be preaching?

If they continue to make life uncomfortable for people in their homes, how many people will gladly listen to and embrace their message?

Will people not altogether disregard Christianity because of this attitude of theirs?

Once again, can you communicate to them that they can pray without constituting a nuisance in the neighbourhood?

The church leadership and membership make us very uncomfortable while holding their church services on Sundays and Wednesdays (as well as some Saturdays and vigils). When they are done with their noisy meetings, they will then go home and have a good rest where I presume no church meeting will disturb their peace. This isn't fair at all.

I don't disturb my neighbours with my prayers, neither should anyone disturb me with their meetings and prayers.

All I'm asking is that they should be reasonable enough to help us maintain peace.

Several attempts have been made to communicate this matter to both the church and LASEPA to no avail.

-Joel