Pruning

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. John 15:1-2 (NASB)

Did you know that grapes only bear fruit on new growth? Old growth, the vine growth that produced fruit last year, is only good for producing more leaves. That old vine and the leaves it produces rob the new growth of nourishment and limit the fruit the new growth can produce.

God is not nearly as interested in us producing leaves (shade and comfort) as He is in us producing fruit that will last. (see John 15:16)

What does it mean then that God prunes the branches that are bearing fruit? As I pondered this I realized that when we have had success we begin depending on the method and programs that gave us that success. Prior to that success we were on our knees asking God for guidance, but now that we know what we are doing we pray less. Instead of depending on God to lead and direct, we now think we know what we’re doing and we begin depending less on God. So God prunes back that part that produced last year’s fruit. Now we are forced into something new, and because it is new we are once again on our knees before God, pleading for Him to guide us.

Yesterday’s successes are tomorrows pitfalls and failures.

Moses was so used to using his staff to perform miracles that when God told him to change methods and speak to the rock, Moses did things the same old way. He used his staff instead of obeying God and speaking to the rock. The result was that Moses sinned against God and disqualified himself from leading the people of Israel into the promised land.

Is it any wonder that God prunes us? Sure pruning is painful, but isn’t it better to be pruned and fruitful that comfortable and fruitless?

Until next time,

Pastor Jim