I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away [airo] and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:1-2 (ESV)

I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father. He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up [airo] the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest.

John 15:1-2 (TPT)

We can never disappoint God because disappointment comes when expectations are not met. Because we are hidden with Christ in God by faith, we know our acceptance by God is perfect and therefore eternal. When we are faithless, God remains faithful and will continue to abide with us (2 Timothy 2:13).

We sometimes misinterpret the context of biblical passages, robbing us of the peace and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Looking at John 15:2, there are two ways to translate the Greek word “airo”. It can be translated as “take away” or “raise up, elevate or lift up". The question is which translation best fits the context of John 15.

The translation "take away" implies that God "takes away" our salvation if we are not fruitful believers. However, if we accept "lift up" as a valid translation, we will see the passage in a different light.

The vinedresser's goal is to maintain and cultivate every branch to receive enough sunlight and nourishment to thrive and bear fruit. Instead of seeing God lopping off so-called fruitless branches, we can view Him as the careful vinedresser who lovingly lifts up a fruitless branch to help it become fruitful again. Perhaps something is preventing that branch from bearing fruit, either it is too bent down or its leaves are encrusted with mud. This is why he prunes or cleans it so that it will be even more fruitful.

Every believer is sanctified by God for service.

Our Father will not punish us for our fruitlessness, but He will push us towards His Son, who is the True Vine to whom we must connect in order to be and remain fruitful.

Our ability to bear fruit is the work of the Trinity.

As we abide in Christ, His life flows through us by the Spirit and produces fruit to God’s glory, and God helps us in remaining faithful to Him and allowing Him to help us in remaining fruitful throughout our day.