Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/73

Contributor - John Moerman

Title - Thank God For The Pruning!

Topic -

"I am the vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it bears more fruit." (John 15 : 1-2)

Here is the picture- Christ is the vine, you and I are the branches, and the Father in heaven decides on the pruning that is required.

Either a person is fruitless or fruitful. Fruitless branches are broken away, thrown on the rubbish heap and destroyed. Fruitful branches are cut back. This because the overly long ends drain away the much needed life-sap for the fruit that is developing.

The vine and the branches exist for the fruit, not the fruit for the vine and the branches. This means that you and I are grafted into the Vine so as to live fruitful lives.

You and I were introduced to Christ. Praise the Lord! You and I accepted the Christ. Fine, wonderful! You and I became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Great! Praise the Lord.

But now this old reality called "self'. Sometimes "self" grows pretty wildly on just the same. This is not as it ought to be. Tempers continue to flare. Detrimental habits here and there even get out of hand. Fear, worry, and anxiety have not stopped to operate.

Yes, what about the world, the flesh, and satan? Are they being kept in check? (I John 2 : 15-17). Is it possible to serve two masters? Who can feed on God and on the world?

What about your church attendance, your bible study, your witness, your stewardship? What about your being alive in Christ? What about your loving of God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Does Jesus indeed stand first in all and everything?

Ah, is your life and service not something like the overly long ends of the fruit-developing branch, still growing pretty wildly for its own sake, and thereby draining away the precious sap that is sorely needed for the growth of juicy grapes?

This is where we have come to say, "THANK GOD FOR THE PRUNING!" For what would have become of our necessary fruit-bearing had it not been for God's wisdom and action here ? ! Praise the Lord, for His starting to cut back on the overly long ends of self and sin. Thank God for putting the sharp knife to my temper and habit that was getting out of hand. How good of God for starting to clip away the wild growth of my fear, worry, and anxiety.

For now the beautiful fruit of "doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly before my God" can freely develop (Micah 6: 8). Now I will be able to demonstrate to the world that "religion that is pure and undefiled is visiting orphans and widows in their affliction while keeping myself unstained from the world" (James 1 : 27). Now I can truly begin to "love God with all my heart, soul, mind, strength, and neighbour as myself" (Matth. 22 : 37). Now there will be this great and good fruit of the Spirit in my life: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control" (Gal. 6 : 22).

Why, yes, THANK GOD FOR THE PRUNING!

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