2007-11-05 01:57:09 · 41 answers · asked by Rita 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, and as Jesus said, if you do not abide in him, you will be cut off from the vine. This proves that the "Once Saved, Always Saved" protestant teaching is false, otherwise you could not be cut off.
Some people promote a very attractive idea: All true Christians, regardless of how they live, have an absolute assurance of salvation, once they accept Jesus into their hearts as "their personal Lord and Savior." The problem is that this belief is contrary to the Bible & constant Christian teaching.
Recall this Scripture: "If we have died with him [in baptism; see Rom. 6:3-4] we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him" (2 Tim. 2:11-12). So, ff we do NOT persevere, we shall NOT reign with him. In other words, Christians can forfeit heaven. Jesus tells us, "He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt. 24:13; cf. 25:31-46). Ergo, if you do not endure to the end, well........
The Bible makes it clear that Christians have a moral assurance of salvation (God will be true to his word and will grant salvation to those who have faith in Christ and are obedient to him [1 John 3:19-24]), but the Bible does NOT teach that Christians have a guarantee of heaven. There can be no absolute assurance of salvation. The Bible says, "See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God's kindness to you, provided you remain in his kindness, otherwise you too will be cut off" (Rom. 11:22-23; Matt. 18:21-35, 1 Cor. 15:1-2, 2 Pet. 2:20-21).
2007-11-05 01:59:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 12⤊ 5⤋
Hi Rena,
Yes, I believe in the Bible & even though Christ was speaking metaphorically, as He often did, here in John 15:5, I think we are to think of God as our strength..."the Vine" and there are many branches, some of which are weak & not fruitful & will be cut off. We are to be fruitful by doing good works & trying to live a faithful life & thus be rewarded in the afterlife.
2007-11-05 03:27:18 · answer #2 · answered by SuziQ211 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do not believe in the existence of a supernatural being responsible for my creation. Thus, while the analogy is well-crafted, I have to disagree with it.
In the end, however, the point of the analogy may have some merit. Seeing all people(s) as distinct branches from a common vine shows that, while we as individuals and cultures are distinct, there exists common links among us that may help us as we explore the core of the human condition. Regardless of one's religious views, it is essential to the survival of all of us that we learn to live together and appreciate that our differences should not divide us when clearly so many of our interests are in common.
So, if I have to answer the question literally, I would say no, I do not agree, but if I am allowed to try to extricate what I will call the moral of the story from the religious method, I think that there is some use in it.
2007-11-05 04:09:36 · answer #3 · answered by John73 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hi Rena,
An interesting concept. Or it could be that God is the vine and we, each of us, are on a different branch or following a different path but every one comes from the same source and so, returns there too.
Pollyanna
2007-11-05 03:35:13 · answer #4 · answered by pollyanna 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
YES.
Without the branches, the vine would die because there wouldn't be anything to provide it with sustenance.
God is the same. Without human belief and followers, we have seen many Gods throughout human history disappear and become figures of myth. The same will happen to our current flavor of God.
2007-11-05 02:06:06 · answer #5 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No God is the Root and we are His vine and branches ..Without a Root we wont grow spiritually.
2007-11-05 03:31:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I agree that it is true. I am glad to be a branch, of that vine, which is our Lord and Savior.
2007-11-05 02:42:32 · answer #7 · answered by a.vasquez7413@sbcglobal.net 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is the Vine...the source of our salvation...we are trying to spread the Good News...like a branches in a vineyard...
2007-11-05 02:08:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, He is the seed, the root, and the stalk. We are the vine and the branches, and we all share in the fruits, even those who do not believe. I believe that because of the fact that rain belongs to the just and the unjust.
2007-11-05 23:03:13 · answer #9 · answered by gone 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes, That Is John 15
Jhn 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
This is a fact, regardless if others refuse to believe or accept it or not.
2007-11-05 02:01:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 2⤋
Hello Rena, I don't want to be disappointing or anything, but I am on the fence about God, so I suggest he get to watering himself, I am not sure how much longer some of his branches are going to last. HAGD.
2007-11-05 07:25:07 · answer #11 · answered by robink71668 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋