Friday, April 16, 2010

Why Does God Need to Prune Us?

The main reasons for pruning, according to an article I recently read, is for safety, health, and aesthetics. Now these are the reasons why trees or flowers or other plants need to be prune. However, it is interesting that God is referred in the Bible as a gardener and his kindgom is the vineyard. Grapes were very significant in the Bible and are mentioned often throughout the Word of God. Many Jewish farmers maintained grape vineyards.

I received a daily devotional via email that discussed a lesson in pruning and the scripture that was mentioned was John 15:1-4 which says, "I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. 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. You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

In order words, Christ is the vine, and God is the gardener who cares for the branches to make them fruitful. Why is it important to be fruitful?

The branches are all those who claim to be followers who by their living union with Christ produce much fruit. But those who become unproductive --- those who turn back from following Christ after making a superficial commitment --- will be separated from the vine.

Unproductive followers of Christ are as good as dead and will be cut off and tossed aside.

Jesus makes a distinction between two kinds of pruning (1) separating and (2) cutting back branches. Now some of you may know a little or maybe a lot about gardening and trees. I have a good friend who can tell me anything and everything about every tree. She loves trees. She knows the trees by name.

Well, just like my friend, Jesus loves all those who have come to him and profess to be followers of his. He also knows them by their name.

Fruitful branches are cut back to promote growth. This affects the health of a tree or a vineyard, as we are talking about in the scriptures. In other words, God must sometimes discipline us to strengthen our character and faith. But branches that don't bear fruit are cut off at the trunk because not only are they worthless, but they often infect the rest of the tree. People who won't bear fruit for God or who try to block the efforts of God's followers will be cut off from his life-giving power.

Remaining in Christ means (1) believing that he is God's son, (2) receiving him as Savior and Lord, (3) doing what God says, (4) continuing to believe the gospel, and (5) relating in love to the community of believers, Christ's body. (1 John 15:12) We cannot bear fruit if we are separated from God.

I am emphasizing pruning for health because it involves removing diseased or insect infested wood and pruning can best be used to encourage trees to develop a strong structure. This is what God does when pruning us, in order to get a plentiful crop of spiritual fruit, God must remove anything that distracts or deters us from serving Him.

Sometimes the process is often painful. Just like a grower must prune an apple tree to get a bountiful harvest. In the same way, God must sometimes let us feel pain so He can bring forth greater growth and more spiritual fruit.

It has been said that in order to reduce the need for pruning, it is best to consider a tree's natural form. It is very difficult to impose an unnatural form on a tree without a commitment to constant maintenance. For God to get what He needs from us as followers of Christ, He must ensure that we receive the proper care and maintenance that we need to develop as good Christians. We get that from studying the Word of God and being in a Bible teaching church.

Thought for Today: God prunes us to cut away a fleshly habit or worldly attitude.

1 comment:

  1. We all need a little cultivating. I look forward to read your blog everyday. Ya give me a refreshing boost for the day.

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