YOU ARE DIVINELY CHOSEN AND APPOINTED TO BEAR FRUIT THAT LAST.

Reading John 15:1-17 we get introduced to the GARDENER, the VINE and the BRANCHES.

Vs 16 says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last.”

Jesus is the VINE and His Father is the Gardener and we His disciples are the Branches.

The Branch must stay connected to the Vine always and at all times. Vs 5 says, “I am the VINE; you are the BRANCHES. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear MUCH FRUIT; apart from Me you can do Nothing.

If you want to be fruitful in your life, the first and most important thing is that you MUST be CONNECTED to the Vine (Jesus).

Vs 2 says, the Gardener (God the Father) CUTS OFF every branch in the Vine that bears no fruit. It is evident; God is not in the business of keeping us in the VINE if we are not willing and ready to be fruitful.  You are not a statistic in the kingdom of God, God requires that you bear fruit and not just fruit but good fruit that will last. God has already given you the potential to be fruitful. He also PRUNES the Branch that does not bear fruit.

What is pruning and what are the reasons for pruning?

Pruning is a horticultural practice involving the selective removal of parts of a plant, such as branches, buds, or roots. Reasons to prune plants include deadwood removal, shaping (by controlling or directing growth), improving or maintaining health, reducing risk from falling branches, preparing nursery specimens for transplanting, and both harvesting and increasing the yield or quality of flowers and fruits.

The practice entails targeted removal of diseased, damaged, dead, non-productive, structurally unsound, or otherwise unwanted tissue from crop and landscape plants.

Note from the above definition, the pruning process is SELECTIVE and also TARGETED. I believe the process of pruning in our lives is purposeful. The Gardener (our Father) is very careful and intricate when cutting the branches. God is the perfect Pruner who has watched us grow, ever so patient clipping, cutting and forming us as He desires. He has watched us grow and He perfectly knows all the unsafe, unhealthy and unfruitful characteristics in our lives. He desires to prune those habits, characters, attitudes and perceptions that hinder us from growing and being fruitful according to His will.

While the process of pruning is meant to be fruitful, it is not without pain. James 1:1-4 says, count it PURE JOY whenever we face TRIALS of MANY KINDS, because you know that the testing of your FAITH develops PERSEVERANCE. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be MATURE and COMPLETE, not lacking anything. Spiritual pruning will produce the following characteristics: patience, endurance, steadfastness, refinement as unto silver and gold Mal 3:3, perseverance, character, experience and hope- Rom 5:3-4 also, it displays the faithfulness on God

Finally, John 15:7-8 says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ASK whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” That’s the promise of the Father.

It is for His GLORY that you bear fruit vs 8. Your responsibility is:

1.      Constantly stay connected to the VINE

2.      Allow God to prune you.

3.      Maintain  close relationship with God through prayer, Worship, Praise and Word

4.      Be sure to obey His commands- Loving one another.

Be fruitful for God’s glory.

Luv

Kachel Nashipae