The Pruning Process

A grape plant has the tendency to grow vigorously. As a result, a great deal of it's branches must be pruned each year in order to produce maximum results. Citing a passage from an old gardening manual, Bruce Wilkinson writes in the Bible study guide accompanying his book, Secrets of the Vine ".......If you don't prune your plant, it will turn nearly all it's energies to producing rampant growth rather than grapes..." According to Wilkinson, the "rampant growth" represents all those "preoccupations and priorities," while are not totally bad, are encumbrances that are besetting to the Christian.

In a vineyard, pruning is done to accomplish four specific purposes: to cut off dried-up or dying branches; to ensure adequate exposure to sunlight; to increase size and quality of the fruit; and to coax the development of new fruit. Similarly, our Father, the Vine dresser employs these principles as He shapes His branches, for it is said, He never takes anything away from His children unless He means to give them something better.

As it is when we are being disciplined, there is some amount of pain involved in the pruning process. However, we must be careful that we do not mistake the pain associated with pruning for disciplining. We are disciplined when we are growing contrary to the nature for which we were intended. We are pruned when we are doing something right (our branches are growing), but the product is below potential.

Several important principles of pruning are evident in the life of the apostle Paul. Philippians 1:12-14 describes a life that was bearing fruit yet underwent trials so a greater crop (furtherance of the gospel) could be harvested. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul's experiences are a testament of the principles that pruning is always for our good and is tailored to address our individual needs. The :"thorn" in Paul's flesh allowed for a more profound ministry potential. Philippians 3:7-9, indicates that pruning is as effective as we allow. This passage describes a life totally yielded to God, one that willingly relinquished all in pursuit of a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

"Pruning is future oriented, the loss happens now; the gain comes later." Writing to the Galatians, Paul encouraged them to be steadfast in doing well for "in due season" they would reap if they did not give up. During this process it is easy to get impatient and some of us may even backslide into discipline by complaining. You get more out of pruning when you release (surrender) to God (Phil. 3:8), knowing that it will only stop when God accomplishes His desire for you.

Honorably Acquitted

As followers of Christ, all of us are guilty of trudging around with a burdensome piece of luggage labeled guilt, filled with past stains and flaws that Satan uses to convince us that we are failures. These past sins, though confessed and forgiven, have the ability (if we let them), to eclipse the abundant, joyful life we have in Jesus Christ. Israel, because of her idolatrous ways, was given over by God to her captives. But God in His mercies granted them a return from exile through the reign of Persian king, Darius. In his examination of his people’s history, Ezra makes a
profound statement: “From the days of our forefathers until now, our guilt has been
great. Because of our sins we…have been subjected to the sword and captivity…” (Ez.9:7). They had dishonored God and were guilty of their sins! And for that there was a price to pay. They had a city to rebuild and they were going to be judged. Zechariah chapter three sets the stage for this remarkable courtroom showdown. In a vision, God revealed to the prophet Zechariah, the spiritual representative of the people standing before the angel of the Lord. Here, Satan, the accuser, was the prosecutor (Zech.3:1). Does this picture look familiar? How often does Satan level accusations against us because of our sins? Note Joshua’s appearance as he stood before the Lord (3:3). How often do you feel unworthy because of the stains of the past? Fortunately, there was a Righteous Advocate in the courtroom that day. As soon as Beelzebub stood to deliver his argument, the Lord, in defense of His people said: “The Lord rebuke you Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! To His chosen, the Lord has promised that He “will remove the sin of the land in one day.” If we follow the prescription of: confession, repentance, and turning away then we too can leave the courtroom knowing that we are honorably acquitted!