“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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned." (John 15:1–6)
Home ownership has forced me to learn alot about dishwashers, air conditioners, lawn equipment, grass and also trees and shrubs. We just planted a small tree in our front yard and learned how pruning is good for the tree's growth. Jesus used this commonly known truth as a way of helping us understand that pain is often due to pruning. It is never fun or pleasant but it is necessary!
No doubt you have noticed several faces missing in our congregation. Every church sees people leave for a variety of reasons. But whatever their reasons, God always has his own glorious intentions behind human actions (Gen. 50:20) We can choose to see this purely from our limited human perspective or we can see that our sovereign God is doing a good thing in us. Perhaps this pruning is so that we might be more fruitful in our Christian lives? Perhaps we are being encouraged to be more fully devoted to serving the Lord Jesus Christ? Perhaps we are being shown the importance of relationships in the church and the importance of discipling and serving one another? Perhaps we are being reminded that we are Christ's witnesses, ambassadors of the Kingdom, making Christ and his glory known in word and deed? Yes, I believe this is the case. We are being pruned so that we might grow, flourish! This means God sees fruit at GCC!
Am I saying that people who leave are "dead" branches? No I am not. Pruning involves cutting off healthy, living branches too. Sometimes you have to decide that a certain healthy branch needs to go so the tree can grow the way it needs to grow. Sometimes God takes away fruitful people for this reason. Sometimes he takes away people who WANT to be here but providentially are taken to new places with their careers or other circumstances. God always has good reasons for such things.
No matter what, we should be encouraged by our Heavenly Father's pruning activity among us. It means we will bear more fruit in the days to come!
Jesus goes on to say this in verse 8, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." This along with verse 5 is a great call to connection to Christ and the joy of glorifying the Father in doing so. These two verses have long been a vital part of my Christian thinking and desire. Abiding in Christ and bearing fruit that glorifies the Father; a great joy indeed. Even when it hurts :-)
ReplyDeleteAmen John - thanks!
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