John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Verse 6: If anyone does not remain in me, he like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
What is our purpose? It is not to be happy or successful or wealthy or intelligent. Our purpose is to glorify God. If we are apart from Christ, we cannot glorify God. We are found worthy only when Christ is in us. He alone makes us worthy of Heaven. Those who do not abide in Christ are incapable of bringing glory to God, and are therefore worthless.
I think about so many people who find worth in themselves, in their achievements and abilities, in their wealth and socioeconomic status. They do not realize that they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (Revelation 3:17) in God's eyes. No matter how smart or rich or powerful someone might seem, without Christ, he cannot please God. And there are no amount of good works that we could do that would make God invite us into His Kingdom.
Isaiah 64:6: - All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Romans 3:22-24 - This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
So, what is "the fire" that Jesus is talking about? Remember that He is talking to His disciples, who are currently abiding in Him. If you believe that a saved person can walk away from the Lord, then the fire is hell. If you don't believe that a saved person can give up their salvation, then the fire could be like the one referred to in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 - his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
It's a difficult, if not impossible, question to answer. Maybe I'll do some research and blog about whether or not salvation can be lost. In the meantime, be convinced in your own mind of what you believe (Romans 14-5b) and keep abiding in Christ!
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