John 15:1-6
[1] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. [2] Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. [3] Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Jesus isn’t talking about the world when He refers to the branches that will be cut off. Jesus is talking about the Church. Jesus is the True Vine and we are the branches. If we bear fruit, the Father will prune us, so that we might bear more fruit, but if we don’t bear fruit, then He will cut us off and throw us away.
What fruit is Jesus talking about?
Galatians 5:22-23
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
If we don’t bear these fruit then we cannot remain in Christ. We are called to bear all of these fruit, but at the very minimum, we are called to bear love. If we don’t bear love, then we do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
Love is the foundation for every other fruit, and is the fruit absolutely required in order to remain in Christ. Therefore, don’t be deceived by man-made doctrines, we must work in Christ if we are to remain in Christ. The gift of salvation is free to everyone who believes but to continue in the faith means you must do more than believe. You must change. You must bear fruit.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Bear.