John 15:6-7 says, “If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” This first statement confuses people. Notice the simile: those who don’t abide in Christ are cast out “as” (or like) a withered branch and burned. Is this hell (see 5:38) or a refining fire? The context is branch-believers in Christ. Verses 5 and 8 surrounding these two speak of “much fruit.” Additionally, vs. 6 and 7 are opposites: unfruitful versus fruitfulness via answered prayer. Verse 6 is general (“anyone”) but verse 7 personal (“you”). So the fire picture illustrates purifying an unfruitful believer. Let’s avoid the fire and seek the fruit today.