The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 15:1-2,
"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."
Jesus used the picture of a vineyard: the Father is the gardener, Jesus is the true vine and people are branches of the vine. If branches don't bear fruit, they are cut off for the burn pile. Those branches that do bear fruit get "pruned" by the gardener so they produce even more fruit.
About those branches that are removed, he said, "If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." Verse 6.
I see two outcomes here for us as branches. If we don't bear fruit because we don't find life's sustenance in Jesus Christ as the vine, we go into the burn pile. If we do bear fruit, we get pruned so that we bear even more fruit. A simple binary outcome based on what we produce (or don't produce) in our lives.
It's one outcome or the other: burned or pruned!
I don't know if branches scream when they are being pruned, but I do know that when the Lord works in our lives to produce fruit it can be painful. A go-to passage for me on this is found in Hebrews 12:7-11 where a different simile is used, that of a disciplining father raising children. "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order 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."
"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."
Jesus used the picture of a vineyard: the Father is the gardener, Jesus is the true vine and people are branches of the vine. If branches don't bear fruit, they are cut off for the burn pile. Those branches that do bear fruit get "pruned" by the gardener so they produce even more fruit.
About those branches that are removed, he said, "If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." Verse 6.
I see two outcomes here for us as branches. If we don't bear fruit because we don't find life's sustenance in Jesus Christ as the vine, we go into the burn pile. If we do bear fruit, we get pruned so that we bear even more fruit. A simple binary outcome based on what we produce (or don't produce) in our lives.
It's one outcome or the other: burned or pruned!
I don't know if branches scream when they are being pruned, but I do know that when the Lord works in our lives to produce fruit it can be painful. A go-to passage for me on this is found in Hebrews 12:7-11 where a different simile is used, that of a disciplining father raising children. "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order 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."
I don't know why some preach that becoming a Christian is nothing but a bed of roses, all things wonderful and easy, just a blissful existence in this life. Somehow or other, I missed that boat. I find myself getting pruned all the time. Who knows? Maybe those who preach the "bed of roses" life that should be ours are already producing baskets full of fruit! No need for pruning!
As I say, I find myself getting pruned, and I wouldn't have it any other way! How about you?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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