“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:2 (NIV)
Without pruning, there is no productivity.
God wants us to be fruitful. In order for us to bear fruit that remains, God initiates the process of pruning. As the gardener, God removes those things in our lives that prevent the life of Christ from flowing through us. He allows us to go through seasons of adversity to address those fruit-restricting areas of our lives.
- “Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Heb 12:10-11 (NIV)
The loving hand of our attentive Heavenly Father brings correction when we drift from His best. Without pain, there is no change. God allows pain to come into our lives to bring us to the place of full surrender. When we reach the level of acknowleging our sin and recognizing God’s desire, the pruning begins to enable the flow of Christ to nourish the areas of our life that brings glory to God.
Will there be a major change when you stand before God? Will you be responsive to God’s pruning in your life now so that when you stand before God very little will be needed to make you like Christ? Allow God to conform you into the image of Christ.
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor