John 15:2 Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it… I. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN BEING A BRANCH IN CHRIST AND WHO ARE PROPERLY BRANCHES IN HIM. 1. In order to be such, we must be cut off from the stock, which is wild by nature (Romans 11:24). This stock is our natural and sinful state (1 Peter 1:18). Growing in this stock, we bring forth evil fruit. We begin to be cut off from it when we are convinced of our sin, and brought to repentance. Hence we begin to die to all dependance on our own wisdom, righteousness, and strength; to all love of the world and sin (2 Corinthians 6:17). 2. We must be ingrafted into Christ (Romans 11:24). The usual way of ingrafting is not to insert a wild scion into a good stock, but a good scion into a wild stock. 3. Hence it appears evidently who are branches in Him — (1) Negatively; not all who have been baptized, and are reckoned members of the visible Church (Romans 2:25-29), who profess to know God, and to have religion (2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Corinthians 13:2, 3). (2) Positively. They are those who have experienced true repentance and faith, and are in Christ new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). II. WHAT IS THE FRUIT WHICH SUCH ARE EXPECTED TO BEAR. This implies the cultivation of truth, justice, mercy, charity (Hebrews 13:16; Titus 3:8; Philippians 1:10, 11). Such must also cultivate, and maintain towards themselves, temperance in all its branches, chastity, self-denial, purity, universal holiness (Hebrews 12:14). III. THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEARING, OR NOT BEARING, THIS FRUIT. 1. If we do not bring forth this fruit, our grace, not being exercised, is withdrawn and lost. We are actually cut off from Christ, as an unfruitful branch is lopped off from a vine. We wither in our fruits, our blossoms, and our very leaves; in our works, graces, and gifts. 2. If we do produce fruit, — we are purged, or purified, by the Spirit, through the Word (John 17:17), which is believed, and obeyed (Acts 15:9; 1 Peter 1:22); by affliction (Hebrews 12:4-11). IV. HOW WE MAY BE ENABLED TO BEAR THIS FRUIT. 1. By abiding in Christ, and Christ in us (ver. 5). We shall not otherwise be fruitful (ver. 4), for otherwise we shall want life, inclination, knowledge, and power. 2. We abide in Him by abiding in faith, in God, in His revealed will, in His Gospel and its truths, in Christ, in the promises (John 6:47-58; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 10:38; and especially Romans 11:16, 24). By continuing in love (John 15:9; Galatians 5:6). Hence arise deadness to the world, and power over sin. By continuing to obey (John 15:10; John 14:23, 24) In order to these, the use of all prescribed means is necessary, as the Word, prayer, watchfulness, self-denial. (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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