“I [Jesus} am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away and every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit. 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 15:1,2 & 6)
COMMENT: As I see it, there are three categories of people who approach Jesus. Firstly, we have those who diligently seek the Lord to follow Him and the evidence of their conversion is a changed life; they bear much fruit. The second group are those who are sincere about their salvation, but they are “half-stepping” with one foot in the world and the other appendage in God’s Kingdom. The Bible calls them carnal Christians. (1 Cor. 3:3) They will be saved, but as if through fire (1 Cor 3:15) and they also will not avail themselves of the abundant life right here on earth that is available to those who follow closely after the Lord. (John 10:10) Finally, we have people who confess the Lordship of Jesus with their mouths but their hearts are not in it. They’re only interested in some “fire insurance” just in case this “Hell thing” is real. You may see them at church every Sunday looking pious and spiritual but in their everyday lifestyle, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. I believe that this latter group will be the ones who will be taken away and thrown into the fire. Periodically, we all might want to reexamine ourselves to make sure of our standing.
SCRIPTURE STUDY: Matthew 7:21,22,23 and 25:31-41
SALVATION!! 