Pruning Part 2

Good day, how many of us carry around dead weight? Unnecessary things that make walking in the journey of life difficult. Hurt, bitterness, anger, hatred, jealousy, envy, etc. Believe me when I say my words are not meant to downplay the hardships that we go through as people.

For today, may we agree with God and look at him as the Vinedresser, Jesus as the vine, and all of us saint as his branches. In John 15 verses 2 He says that all branches that bear fruits he prunes. According to the dictionary, the word prune means to trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth.

So when he says he prunes us, it means He trims us by cutting away dead or overgrown things in our lives. With the purpose to encourage growth in us. Wow, I just want to shout cutaway Lord!!!! The perfect case of easier said than done, it’s easy to say “cutaway Lord” but the process is not easy. 

Let us say God prunes deadweight which might be anger in your life. when we look into a situation your anger is justifiable due to the circumstances. But God says in Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger..." or even better Ecc 7:9 "Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools."

When you hate a person because they hurt you in the most hurtful way and God says “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the [q]tax collectors do so? 48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Another example is bitterness, when you look at your life story, the bitterness is defendable and God says in the book of Matthews 5 verse 8 only the pure at heart will see God, in Ephesians 4 verse 30-32 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

A lighter one, you have a mouth that always lends you into trouble, but you enjoy the gossip and God says bridle the tongue, James 3 verse 5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. When you look at it from that scripture it is not so light anymore.

The truth is we all need pruning to get rid of the deadweight and enable us to grow and be better. lack of pruning might lead to tree decay and is not good for the overall health of the plant. The Hurt, bitterness, anger, hatred, jealousy, envy, etc. are not good for your overall health. Many people are sick today due to the state of their hearts and mind. But when we allow God to prun us, the new creation in Christ Jesus comes to life. One filled with God's peace which surpasses all understanding, filled with the love that is generously poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. One who guards their heart because out of it springs out the issues of life. 

It might not be easy Lord but cut away!!! besides I rather you prune me than take me away. And I know that everything that is done in accordance with his purpose is working for my good.