By Pastor Alex Ruelo
Many Christians bear different kinds of fruit. But even when you are already bearing much fruit, God wants you to bear even more. Your desire should also be to bear more fruit and not be satisfied with the ones you already have.
John 15:1-3 says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” God’s desire is for you to bear even more fruit than what you have already produced. The longer God prunes you, the more fruit you are expected to bear.
Pruning is removing cutting off or removing certain things or “branches” in your life that prevents you from bearing more fruit. Pruning happens to believers only. God prunes His followers only. He cannot prune people who do not believe in Him. It is the primary method done to make plants grow. The gardener removes certain branches and leaves that hinder the plant from bearing more fruit. He also removes decayed parts of the plant so as not to affect the rest of it too. Pruning redirects the excess nutrients from the stem and leaves to the fruit. Some parts of a plant need to be removed because the nutrients go to it instead of the fruit which need it more. Such is Christian life. God removes certain ministries, people and the like so that you can grow more in Him. Pruning, unlike chastening which occurs when you sin continuously, happens even when you are doing what God wants you to do. They are both painful but have different effects. Pruning is done by experts so as not to harm the plant. God knows what He is doing in your life. He knows what He is removing in your life. Stop asking questions and trust Him. Pruning has a perfect timing. God knows what you need and do not need in every season of your life. He will give and take away.
Titus 3:14 says, “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.” You need to learn how to maintain doing good works so that your fruit will be doubled, tripled, or even more. That should be your goal.
God prunes you to encourage more fruit bearing. Chastening is reactive while pruning is pro-active. There will be times when your ministry is not productive anymore. So God prunes you so that you will have a healthy fruit bearing ministry. There are times when Christians have so many ministries but they are unproductive. He prunes you so that you will bear healthy fruit.
God prunes you to redirect your life’s purpose to eternal things. He wants you to focus on things eternal. You might be doing things here on earth that have no value in heaven, so He takes those things away.
God prunes you to redistribute your primary resources for greater productivity. God removes or redistributes your resources so that they will benefit the right things. Time, talent and treasures will be taken away so you can work on things that are important for God’s kingdom. David Livingston once said, “I will place no value in anything I have or may posses except in elation to the kingdom of Christ. You have to make sure that everything you do is for the Lord, lest it be wasted.
God prunes you to clarify and sharpen your unique life purpose. Because of pruning, your service to the Lord is more dedicated. You become more productive in certain things because you realize that it is there where you bear more fruit. Sometimes, God uses your unique life experiences, even the bad ones, for His glory.
God prunes you to align your life to serve others with your passion. God wants you to enjoy serving Him. Your ministry has to be something you like to do so that when you bear fruit, it will give glory to God. Different people are meant for different purposes. God knows that and He prunes you so you can serve others with passion. When you enjoy what you are doing, you grow.
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” You need to entrust everything to God. His purpose for pruning is all for your own good. It might be painful but still, worship Him in the process. Sometimes, even the bad things that happen to you can be used by God for His glory. When you bear fruit, God wants you to bear more. Allow Him to work in you.