Jesus says that every branch aligned with Him that does not bear fruit, His Father the vinedresser will remove. When Jesus says the Father takes away a branch, he is not speaking of someone losing salvation because they were slacking in their efforts at obedience. Rather, fruitlessness betrays lifelessness. The vine and branches is a metaphor for the visible church. The visible church is those who profess faith in Christ, but not all professors of faith are possessors of faith.

Our Lord explains that the Father tends the vine in two ways (John 15:2). He “takes away” and He “prunes.”

“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.” (John 15:2, NKJV)

Jesus describes Himself as the true vine. He is the unique means of life given by the Father. Christianity is inclusive. The offer of the gospel goes out indiscriminately. Whoever believes on Christ will be saved. But Christianity is also exclusive. There is no other way of salvation apart from Christ. Jesus is the true vine in that He alone is authentic and effective. Life is bound up in Him. 

In describing Himself as the vine, our Lord also points us to the Father as the vinedresser. The Father plants the vine in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and promise (Psa. 80). But the Father also tends the vine. 

Our Lord explains that the Father tends the vine in two ways (John 15:2). He “takes away” and He “prunes,” both activities in respect to fruitfulness. He takes away those who do not bear fruit.

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