John 15 21/21

In John 15 we quickly find a familiar story that Jesus reveals In John 15:1-3"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you."
For humanity to become producers for God and not simply consumers we have to be rooted in Jesus Christ What is incredibly interesting about the word prunes in this context is in the Greek it actually translates to cleanse. The purpose of the branch is to bear fruit, the same purpose is valid for followers of Christ as well. We are called to produce fruit.
Then as we journey on down chapter 15, we encounter an interesting paradox. "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another."
The paradox is found in the incredible words stated by Christ. Even though our sin would cause him great pain and agony he is still willing to call us his friends, and not only that lay down his life for us, his friends.

Live to Love