“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15: 2
He purges it! Think about this verse of Scripture… “In His atonement Christ purged our sins by His own blood (Hebrews 1:3, 9:22).” The result of that purging is nothing but lovely and beautiful, but ”cruelty” is the word associated with the agonizing way Christ had to die. Yet Jesus knew of the joy set before Him and therefore trusted and obeyed His Father.
The moment there’s fruit God says “I want more fruit” – He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. And how does He do this? He tries our faith. When He tries us, it’s not going to be easy. There’s dross, impurities, and infection in our lives we can’t see. God has wisdom… a wisdom only He knows. Trust Him. Sometimes you can’t get up. Sometimes there is a despairing of life. But if you cooperate with God, your life will someday shake the world – IF YOU TRUST HIM. He knows what each of us needs in order to produce the right kind of fruit. There will never be Heaven on Earth – I don’t care what that song says. Jesus told us that on earth we will have many tribulations. Too many believe the prosperity lie. But take heart, there is always an end to a storm. The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world! God will not destroy you.
“…that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” 1 Peter 1: 7
No, God’s not destroying you – He’s making you! But there is something we must do, and it will determine if we sink or swim…
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15: 4
To be continued…