John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit."
Prune: verb; trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to increase fruitfulness and growth. Today was my chore day. I needed to do what I least like to do. Prune back my huge trees so that branches will thicken, grow, and produce more fruit. As I was well into this timely and difficult chore, I noticed that there were many dead branches. But I never saw them before because they were hidden among the good branches. (I think you can see where I am going with this). The more I got into the middle of the tree, the larger and more in number the dead branches were. Why did so many die? There are a number of reasons, but the main reason was they could get no life giving light! They were in the shadow of the good branches. So, I cut them down and cast them aside to be destroyed. How sad that seemed to me. A beautiful full tree I planted now reduced by as much as a half. As I sat and looked at the tree, the Lord spoke to my heart. How many came to the Lord. Were drawn by His word, but it did not live in them and it died. How painful for our Lord to have to cut them down and cast them into the fire. John 15:5-6 "I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers, such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned". What was even more shocking is that theses dead branches were hiding and in the midst of the good ones and could not be seen. Then I realized this is what is occurring in His Church. How many claim the Word of God? How many preach and teach His Word but do so without understanding and use His Word for self gain and in self-righteousness...pride? How many are actually among true believers? And even more sadly, how many seek these people out to have their 'ears tickled'. To hear what they want to hear, not what the Word of God is actually telling us. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." NIV Who is the Lord referring to here? These are the ones that know the Word of God, but are not satisfied with, or do not understand the truths of His Word...believers! Just like the dead branches are mixed in with the live ones, so they are among us. Titus 1:16 "They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works, They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work." ESV Many of these people will actually pervert God's Word for the sake of their following, recognition, pride, and worldly gain. Not humble before the Lord but boastful. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workman, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond with their deeds." ESV We must all be very careful to cling to His Truths and not mans. To test all things. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 "...but test all things; hold on to what is good." NIV Seek the truths of the Word of God from God, and not from men. 1 John 2:27 "As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in Him." The Holy Spirit is our teacher. We have no need to trust in anyone else. Are we the ones who will be deceived and a branch that dies and is cut off? Will we allow ourselves to be deceived by those that claim to be believers, who seek and give false counsel but are lost? The Lord has taught us how to be a solid, healthy branch and bear much fruit. It is in His Word, we just have to look. But in all of this, we are to demonstrate the same love and forgiveness the Lord has given us, and let the Lord work His truths through us by example for their salvation. Remember, the Lord has warned us about the state of the church through His own Words, so we are without excuse! Yes, pruning day is near. It could be this very day or in many years. But that is something I am not willing to gamble...how about you?
Your comments are always welcomed.
Psalm 34:3 "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (KJV)
