“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.” John 15:2 (ESV)
Any good gardener knows that it is important to prune your crop and rid it of unfruitful “branches” that those which are healthy will thrive and bear even more than if you did nothing. In this same sense, Jesus equates these unfruitful branches with those in His kingdom who are not bearing fruit or doing work to further the Kingdom by spreading the Gospel message and making disciples. He also tells us that even those branches which are fruitful must be pruned from time to time to remove the unhealthy or diseased parts, which equates to the remnant of a sinful lifestyle in the born again believer. Each of us will undergo pruning by way of rebuking, correction, disappointment, illnesses, etc., all to ensure that we remain as spiritually healthy and productive as possible. Is there something on your branch you need to allow the Lord to prune?
Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA