Cut Off or Raised Up?

Monday, 21st May 2007

I just finished listening to a sermon by Pastor Joseph Prince entitled "Why You Are One With Christ And Never Cut Off From The Vine".

In this mid-week sermon that was preached on 3 May 2007, he expounds on the familiar passage recorded in John 15 where Jesus told His disciples that He is the true vine and they are His branches.

What was a real eye-opener for me was verse 2, which reads



Many believers become fearful when they read this verse, because it gives the impression that God will discard those of us who are not fruitful.

The original Greek of the word "take away" is airo (G142), which can also be translated as "raise up".

This word also appears in Mt 4:6, where Satan was tempting Jesus to jump off the cliff, because the angels would airo Him, lest His feet be dashed upon the stones.


This word also appears in Mt 9:6, where Jesus asked the paralytic to arise, airo his bed and go home.

When interpreted this way, it gives us believers much encouragement.

Rather than being cut off from the vine, those of us that do not bear fruit are instead raised up by our Lord so that it due time and season, we will bear fruit.

Those of us that are not yet serving the Lord in any ministry, take heart. God does not reject us. He is there lifting us up and in due time and season, we will be serving Him. Not out of a sense of obligation and fear, but instead out of a great sense of gratitude and love. Amen?

By the way, I really enjoy listening to sermons that are encouraging and uplifting.
By the way, I really enjoy listening to sermons that are encouraging and uplifting.

The late Dietrich Bonhoeffer was quoted as saying that the Bible is meant to "comfort the trouble and to trouble the comfortable".

I beg to differ, and an appropriate response to that would be "With friends like that, who needs enemies? "

Satan has already created so much trouble and discomfort in the world out there, and the last thing believers need is for the church to add to that. God is supposed to be our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.

I do not believe for one moment that Jesus will tell us "You look too healthy. Here, have some leprosy" or "You are too comfortable. Let me give you some trials and tribulations." The victorious and abundant life should be one that is trouble-free.