Thought For Today: “God’s Pruning Process”

And every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit (John 15:2b)

We may think there isn’t much fruit on our branches, but God sees what we have and prunes us so that we can produce even more and greater fruit, that is, works through the gifts He has given us for His glory.

Pruning is cutting back the branch so it can focus its efforts on producing fruit. To prune means “to make clean.” Therefore, in the pruning process, God forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness, which is what keeps us from bearing fruit.

An integral part of God’s pruning process is carried out through the word.

“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3)

Paul said that Christ makes us holy through the washing of the water of His word (Ephesians 5:26-27). It is through His word that we’ll continue to be pruned and to progress spiritually as we’re attached to Jesus, just as branches are attached to the vine.

Therefore, let’s submit to God’s pruning process, even though it may seem unpleasant now, because it is producing something greater for our future in God’s kingdom.