Abiding and Fruit Bearing

Table of Contents

Introduction

There is much more to the Christians life than the acceptance of Christ Jesus as savior. Christ himself said about his life, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit for itself, except it abides in the Vine, no more can ye, except you abide in me (John 15:4). This expression John wants us to note to all is living communion with Jesus is that we need to have day by day, moment by moment. In this paper we are going to deal with Christ words that how he wanted to be with Him that is how to commune with Him, “Abiding and Fruit Bearing” with the reference to the Johannine writings and John`s view of communion with God with Johannine Mysticism.

1. Abiding

‘Abide’ simply means Living for long time, ‘Enduring.’ It means ‘to wait for and to remain stable and fixed.’^[1] In Greek “Abide” is said as ‘meno,’ which means ‘to remain.’^[2]

2. Fruit bearing

Jesus saying fruit bearing is the concept of out cropping of love of Christ in our lives for nourishment and refreshment of others, them among the benefits received from fruit would be conversion (John 13:34), ‘A new commandment given by Jesus, to love one another as he loved us,’ by this all will know that all are his disciples, so fruitfulness of obedient love is fruitfulness of winning people in Christ.^[3]

3. Old Testament concept of Abiding and Fruit Bearing

The cultivation of vineyards was more important to the life and economy of people of Israel. It was familiar to every Jew, we see in Ezekiel, a lamentation that the vine in vineyard transplanted into water and now transplanted into wilderness into dry and thirsty land, fire gone out from the stem and consumed its branches and fruit also, no strong stem are there. In Hosea 10:1, Israel is like luxurious vine that yields fruit.^[4] God transplanted Israel into Canaan and gave his people all they needed. ‘What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done it?’ asks God in Isaiah 5:4. God made Israel as his own Vineyard.

4. New Testament concept of Abiding and Fruit bearing

Jesus speaks about vine and He says that “I am true Vine”, when Jesus was speaking about the vine and vineyard, that was the time of the year the vines have been harvested and burned. In his sayings, ‘he is true vine,’ he indicates physical vine that symbolizes truth of fruit- bearing. Jesus taught truth of his indwelling which shows great works, it is productivity of Christian life.^[5] Fruit bearing has to do with ‘works’. In New Testament John speaks about “Abiding and fruit bearing” in John 15: 1-11, in chapter 14, the instances are seen that they left the upper room. It was during the time of Passover season, they left upper room and went somewhere on the place where winter torrent or kidron was running on its way. On that Passover time, by seeing moon in the sky, they could see almost everywhere the vines growing, ‘the little vines of Palestine.’ They would see the ficker of flame form fires in which branches were being burned.^[6] At this point Jesus speaks about vine and He says that “I am true vine, and you are the branches,” “Abide in me, you bear fruits,” whoever does not abide in me, those branches are thrown away and burnt on fire.’

5. John 15: 1- 11 – “Abiding and Fruit Bearing”

Vs 1&2 – ‘I am the true vine and my Father is the vine grower,’ ‘He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit, every branch that bears fruit he prunes, to make it bear fruit.’

In Old Testament Israel is referred as vine, but in New Testament Christ himself is the true vine. The father is owner of vineyard and who takes care of it. This owner takes away the branches (cut off) which bear no fruit. It means father judges the believers who bear no spiritual fruit. He prunes the branches which bear fruit in order, they produce much fruits. Israel was God`s choice vine which was cared, he longed for fruit but the vine (Isreal) became degenerate and produced rotten fruit. That is why Jesus as true vine fulfills what god had intended for Israel. Father is the Gardner, who protects and cultivates the vine.

Vs 3 &4 – ‘You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you, ‘Abide in me as I abide in you, just as branches cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.’ Vs 5 – ‘I am the vine you are the branches, those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.’

In order to be fruitful, one must one must learn to depend on Christ who is vine, because Jesus says ‘he is vine’ and we are branches there is total dependence upon vine, without abiding the relationship we can`t do anything. The fruit which god desired from Israel was loving, obedience, righteousness and justice (Isa 5:1-7). “Every branch in me, doesn`t bear fruit, I will cut off,’ every person who want to be his disciple is not necessarily a true follower, the branch which bears no fruit obviously dead. It is cut off (like Judas). Every year Palestine the Gardner prune their vines, they cut off dead wood which has no life in it, trim the living branches so that their yield will be fruitful.

Vs 6– ‘whoever doesn`t abide in me is thrown away like the branch and withers, such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.’ The branch refers the fruits of relationship with Christ, if withers, dries up and fruit (work) will be judged.^[7]

Vs 7&8 – ‘If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish and it will be done for you’, ‘My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.’ Vs 9 – ‘As the father had loved me, so I have loved you, abide in my love’ That who abide in Christ, who allows his words to abide in them, Christ performs every task they need when they ask. In all these, the centre is very unique that is ‘love of God.’ Christ remained in father`s love because he obeyed, the one who remain in Christ love obey his commandments. If one dwelling in Jesus, results abundant fruit. But those who do not believe they face disaster, ‘a branch without life is dead it is worthless and it is thrown into fire and burned’ means one who genuinely saved and therefore judged. Like dead branch a person without Christ is spiritually dead and will be punished in eternal fire.

Vs 10 – ‘If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my father`s commandments and abide in His love’, Vs 11– ‘I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.’ Other unique fruit is joy, abiding relationship gives Christ`s joy. Love and joy are results of Abiding in Him. Believer is motivated by the wonder of Jesus love, that patterned after father`s love in quality and extent. “remain in my love” obedience to father`s commands in same for disciples.joy is the purpose to give man an abundant life, only when he obeys.^[8]

6. True Vine

‘I am true vine’ Greek form was changed when it comes to English translation, but words are identical, arrangements are different slightly. “I am the vine, the true.” Greek form gives us at sense of intended contrast, “I am the true vine.” This is perfectly accurate, but when we hear, ‘I am the vine, the true’ immediately Jesus intends to put himself under that figure of vine, in contrast with all that had gone before.^[9]

7. You are Branches

It is not the stalk which bears the fruit but the branches. Jesus teaches that the disciples will do the actual work in “greater” ministry and Jesus works in them supplying what they need to accomplish. They will bear fruit marvelously in his Partnership.^[10]

8. ‘Abide in me’ (Christ) In John`s perspective

John uses ‘Abide’ which is ‘meno’ that means ‘to remain’ and ‘to stay.’ His intension in Jesus words ‘Abide in me’, which means abide in Christ is about the being fellowship with Christ. It is maintaining a life of giving connection to Christ. ‘Vine is source of life,’ Jesus is the vine. John presents this to show how the connection and relationship should be between Christ and the believers. He brings certain aspects for the life in abundance with Christ and he suggests how to live a true life in these aspects, first the new age spirituality emphasizes on self- enlighten but it is love that characterizes believer`s union with God. Secondly, it is love that is hidden in Christ`s discipleship, not hate. Thirdly, it is the faithful obedience not mystic communion that makes real abidance with Christ (John 14:15).^[11] Raymond Brown proposed that this ‘Abiding’ character shows a special characteristic of Johannine community, as they were shaped by ‘sinequa non’ (Essencial) of person`s loving contact with Christ.^[12]

9. Fruit Bearing in John`s Perspective

As branches reach to mold from the stem, they produce fruits. John emphasizes Jesus speaking, that He wants to be the partner for believer in action. There can be no fruit without his working. Jesus doesn`t want to be left out of fellowship with beings.^[13]

10. Comparing with Pauline Writings

Paul compares his writings telling about the fruit of spirit, In John, it was the special preference to abide and bear fruit and abide in the love and joy will be given. The fruit is the ‘work.’ Paul mentions in 1 Cor 3:12-15, that the works will be judged and it will be reveled in fire and fire will test what sort of work each person have done. And Paul writings to Galatians, he brings out the emphasis of the ‘fruit of spirit’ (Gal 5:22), in John 15:10, Jesus says to abide in love this was unique centre of whole his sayings, Paul brings out this as the first fruit of spirit as ‘Love’ and john 15:11- Jesus says, the joy be in you, Paul brings out in Galatians the second fruit of spirit as ‘joy.’ Abiding relationship gives us love, joy as results of abiding in him.^[14]

11. Theological Reflection

The fruit bearing, the fruit of spirit can only come forth by abiding in Jesus and walking in his spirit. To abide in Jesus is a very active work, it means to live in such a way that we will be always found to be in him, to walk hand in hand with him, to live according to his word. The first result of Abiding is Fruitfulness. This is intension of God, The father is glorified by the fruit that produced in, and this fruitfulness is an abiding good.^[15] “I am The True vine, Abide in me and I in you,” it is an intimacy of divine relationship, unquenchable joy, endurance and persecution, the vine of life is Jesus.

Conclusion

This is great discourse that John brought to the earthly life in definite way and it regarding to the relationship with him in service on behalf of the world. This whole chapter is needed for an understanding of allegory of vine and the final sign. Jesus stood among them and said “I am the vine, my father is the vine grower, he removes every branch in me that bears no fruit every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit, you have already been cleansed by the words that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither you abide in me.”

Bibliography

Bromily , W. Geoffrey. “Abiding”, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. 1136.
Brown,Raymond. The Gospel According To John Chapter 3 to 21. New York: Doubleday and Company, 1966.
Dobsen, G. Edward. “John 15,” King James Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999.
Lovett, C.S. John: The Personal New Testament. California: Personal Christianity,1970.
Merill, H. Eugene, Galatians NAC 12. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994.
Monthly, Moody. John 15:1-11 : The New Testament and Wycliffe Bible Commentary. New York: The Iversen- Norman Associates, 1971.
Morgan, G. Campbell. The Gospel According to John. Los Angeles: Fleming H. Revell Company,1986.
Temple, William. Reading in St. John`s Gospel. London: Macmillion, 1952.
Warren, Chester Quimby. John: The Universal Gospel. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1947.
Wilkinson, Bruce Wilkinson. Secrets of Vine. Np: Multnomah Publishers, 2001.

Footnotes

[1] Geoffrey W. Bromily ed., “Abiding”, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. 1136.

[2] Bruce Wilkinson, Secrets of Vine (np : Multnomah Publishers,2001),1-2.

[3] Wilkinson, Secrets of Vine 4-5.

[4] Wilkinson, Secrets of Vine 6.

[5] Wilkinson, Secrets of Vine 7.

[6] Campbell G. Morgan, The Gospel According to John (Los Angels: Fleming H. Revell Company,1986), 150.

[7] Edward G. Dobsen, “John 15,” King James Bible Commentary (Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers,1999),1321-1333.

[8] Moody Monthly, “John 15:1-11,” The New Testament and Wycliffe Bible Commentary (New York : The Iversen – Norman Associates, 1971), 347-348.

[9] William Temple, Reading in St. John`s Gospel (London: Macmillion, 1952), 130.

[10] C.S. Lovett, John: The Personal New Testament (California : Personal Christianity,1970), 254.

[11] Lovett, John: The Personal New Testament, 248.

[12] Raymond Brown, The Gospel According To John !3- 21 (New York: Doubleday and Company,1966), 16.

[13] Lovett, John: The Personal New Testament, 248-249.

[14] Eugene H. Merill, Galatians, NAC 12 ( Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994), 432.

[15] Chester Warren Quimby, John: The Universal Gospel (New York : The Macmillan Company, 1947), 183.

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