Pruning
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Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2
There is a difference between removing branches and pruning a tree. Removing branches is chopping at will without a purpose. Pruning, on the other hand, is the deliberate, careful and intentional cutting back of a plant or tree that will enable it to channel its resources to promote the most optimal growth and produce the best fruit.
To prune properly, the vine dresser or gardener must be knowledgeable and skilled at his work. He must be familiar with the vine and know which branches have already given their best fruit and now must be cut off. He must know which sickly branches he has given extra care to and, because they are not recovering, must be cut off. He must cut back all the broken, damaged and dead branches that are taking up room and resources, preventing the best from coming forth.
In this passage in John 15, Jesus talks about bearing fruit v.2, bearing more fruit v.2, bearing much fruit v.5 and abiding fruit (that your fruit would remain) v.16.
Bearing fruit as young believers may be starting to go to church regularly, getting baptized and memorizing scripture. But God wants you to produce MORE fruit.
More fruit means greater in quantity, more excellent fruit, your lifestyle begins to transform through the power of the Holy Spirit! Pruning may look like your old friends don’t want to hang out with you anymore. Pruning may mean you don’t go to the same places, listen to the same music or your potty mouth may get cleaned up. You may not dress the same way. The former parts of your life are being cut away as your fruit starts to resemble that of a follower of Jesus.
Much fruit means many and large! In verse 5 Jesus says “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. In bearing large fruit, our testimony is obvious to others. We are imitators of Christ, are seeking God on our own, meeting in small groups, applying the word, serving. God is stretching us through various life circumstances.
To abide is the goal! In verse 16 Jesus says “ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide,” some translations says that your fruit should remain, that means it should endure, last, not become another fruit, not perish. This is the mature Christian, you fruit has remained faithful over the years and you are still growing new fruit! Your way of life is to honor and glorify God in all you do. You use your gifts to minister to others, when trials come your way, you have confidence that God is in control. Even in tough times the Joy of the Lord is your strength. You stand on the promises of God, you encourage others with his word, you are teaching the young men and women by mentoring and by example. You have been pruned and have produced more, much and excellent fruit. Life is not easy necessarily but “you know in whom you have believed and are persuaded that he is able to keep that which you have committed to him each day.” I know Whom I Have Believe, Daniel Whittle, 1883
Take inventory of your fruit throughout your life.
In what stage of fruit bearing are you?
How can you continue bearing more, much and excellent fruit in your walk with God?