“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 15:6 

What is Jesus really saying here? There are a few views on this passage as it relates to our position in Jesus, which I adapted from David Guzik’s commentary: 

1.      The view that cast out branches are ones who – though once true believers – end up in hell for a lack of fruit. They were once saved, but are now cast out. 

2.      The view that the cast out branches are “fake” Christians who never truly abided in Jesus and therefore, go to hell (like Judas).

3.      The view that the branches cast out are fruitless Christians who lived a wasted, burnt-up life (like Lot). 

Now, the first viewpoint isn’t Scriptural. We know those who truly believe “shall never die” (John 11:25-26) and no one can snatch us out of the Father’s hand (John 10:28-29). We do know that a fruitless life affects our fellowship with Christ (our interactions), but it doesn’t affect our sonship (adoption into Christ’s family). None of the scenarios are what we want in our own personal journey with Christ. So let’s praise, confess, and petition the Lord for a life of “much fruit.” 

Praise

Father, thank you for adopting us into Your family so we can abide with You eternally. You desire fellowship with us and desire to fight for us (Exodus 14:14). 

Confess

Gracious Savior, as Paul said in Romans 7:24, “Wretched man that I am, who will rescue me from this body of death? I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Forgive us for our pride and not seeing how wretched we truly are. Humble us and teach us to stand in awe of Him. 

Petition

Almighty King, we ask that You would give us an insatiable craving to know You better. Teach us to sit and be still so that the life of Your Spirit can flow into us and naturally produce spiritual fruit. Amen.