Our Father the Husbandman: He Lifts Us Up

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." (John 15:2)

This verse is one of the most misconstrued in the New Testament.

Because of the misunderstanding readers fall into, many come away with a sense of fear, dread, or outright depression.

"If I don't bear fruit, God will remove me! He will take me away!"

The truth is, that work "take away" is from a Greek word which also means "lift up."

Farmers tending a vine do not pull off or throw a part of the vine if it's not bearing fruit.

They lift it out of the dirt, off the ground, and allow it rest on the trellis once again.

In fact, God the Father has lifted us up, and has lift us so high that we are now seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus!

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2:4-6)

Notice that God the Father lifted us up, just as Jesus was raised from the dead and seated at His right hand:

"The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Psalm 110:1)

God is not in the business of throwing us away when we are poorly performing.

Why is it that so many struggle? Because they are not resting in His life, power, and grace:

"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4:11)

Let us rest in God's power, let us rest in the new life and identity we have through Christ Jesus.

And we will bear much fruit for Him!