Daily Manna: Necessity Of Pruning

Tuesday 17, December 2013

TEXT: JOHN 15:1-8

KEY VERSE: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:2).

Charles Spurgeon, a great nineteenth century English preacher, said: “It is the Word that prunes the Christian. It is the truth that purges him. The Scripture, which makes living powerful by the Holy Spirit, cleanses the Christian. Affliction is the handle of the knife. Affliction is the grindstone that sharpens the Word. Affliction is the dresser that removes our soft garments and lays bare the diseased flesh so the surgeon’s knife may get at it. Affliction merely makes us ready for the surgery of the Word of God. But the true pruner is the Word in the hands of the great vine dresser.”

This aptly explains the essence of our text today. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, described Himself as the true vine while we are the branches. As the vine and its branches are indissoluble and share the same taproot, characteristics and source of nourishment, so also believers in Christ are inseparable from Him in vision, mission, character, consecration and commitment. But God the Father, the husbandman, prunes our lives to reshape us to become fruit-bearing.

As the vine dresser cuts off the branch that grows in the wrong direction or with much leaves that can overshadow other branches from bearing fruits, God also stops us from following our will. When God prunes us, He removes the vices in us to refine us in love, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, joy and peace. He does whatever is necessary to achieve His divine purpose.

God’s pruning may allow difficult circumstances to cut off things which can drain away our spiritual energy and capacity to bear fruit. Such difficult circumstances may be sickness, hardship, loss of job or material goods, slander, persecution, etc.

What are the things keeping you away from God’s purpose and fruit-bearing? God’s pruning can transform your life today.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God’s pruning brings the best out of us.

***Share your thoughts and what you've just learnt in the comments section below. Don't forget to SHARE!