What does it mean for God to remove a branch?

[Matthias]

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.”

(John 15:1-2, NRSV)

“So what does it mean for God to remove a branch?”

(Craig R. Koester, The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel, p. 39)

 

[soberxp]

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.”

(John 15:1-2, NRSV)

“So what does it mean for God to remove a branch?”

(Craig R. Koester, The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel, p. 39)

If we don't build on the rock,Jesus Christ.

 

[Matthias]

AIf we don't build on the rock,Jesus Christ.

Is Jesus talking about disciples who were doing that and stopped?

What happens to them after they are removed by the Father?

 

[soberxp]

Is Jesus talking about disciples who were doing that and stopped?

Jesus was talking about all of us, not only the disciples.

What happens to them after they are removed by the Father?

Matthew
25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Luke 13:25
When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

 

[Matthias]

Jesus was talking about all of us, not only the disciples.

Christians.

Matthew
25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Luke 13:25
When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

OSAS (Once Saved Always Saved)?

 

[soberxp]

OSAS (Once Saved Always Saved)?

Once understand the word of God always understand the word of God.

 

[Matthias]

Once understand the word of God always understand the word of God.

Understanding is one thing, obeying and persevering to the end is another.

Branches (followers of Jesus) that were once attached to the vine (Jesus) are removed by God (the Father) for cause.

 

[Matthias]

“So what does it mean for God to remove a branch? A fruitless branch has already lost its vital connection to the vine. The complete absence of fruit shows that the branch is no longer drawing life from the stalk. Note that there is no speculation about what might cause a branch to become separated from the vine. The imagery does not suggest that God initiates a person’s separation from Christ any more than a vineyard owner causes a branch to wither on the vine. Rather, removing the branch finalizes the separation that has already occurred. This corresponds to the idea that people place themselves under divine judgment by separating themselves from the love that the Father provides through the Son (3:16-18). The passage assumes that the vinedresser will determine when a branch‘s relationship to the vine has ended. Final judgment belongs to God rather than to members of the community.”

(Craig R. Koester, The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel, pp. 39-40)