Contributor: Peter Folikwe

INTRODUCTION

In the anchor scripture, John. 15: 1-2, 5, Jesus presented Himself as the vine and we are the branches. God Almighty is invariably the owner of the land on which the vine takes its nutrients to feed the branches (you and I). God is the care taker of all: the vineyard, the vine and the branches. While the fruitful branches are pruned and purged, the fruitless branches on the other hand are removed and burnt. Having made available nutrients required the make the branches produce fruits, the Husbandman in frustration discards fruitless branches to make room for the fruitful ones. Reading further in Jn 15:5 Jesus reiterated that: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Keep the supply source of nutrient to bear fruits, the branch needs to hold fast to the vine. Without the vine the branch is useless.

John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it does not bear fruit He takes away; and may bear more fruit.”

HOW DO I HOLD FAST THE VINE?
1. In the place of prayer. Jn 14:13 admonishes us to ask anything in His name. and““And whatever things you 21:22 Mattwe should consider it done by the Father. ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

2. Private study and corporate study of the word (Bible study, Sunday school,Church service, in-reaches and outreaches). Jos 1:8 comes to mind.

3. Supporting the work of God - giving your time and resources to the work of God.Heb. 6:10 tells us that God is not unjust to forget His reward for our labour of love.He is a just God who never forgets our labour of love. Gal 6:7 says whatever a mansows, that he will also reap. Brethren, always look out for a fertile ground to sowupon. This guarantees great harvest.

PRUNING FOR PERFECTION:
Focus is now shifted to the fruitful branches in today’s study:
The moment the branch (you and I) make efforts to be fruitful, the Vinedresser - God Almighty takes delight and interest in us and prunes us. This process of pruning however, comes with some trials, painful sacrifice, endurance, perseverance etc, because of its inherent future benefits. Your patience will be tested to bring out the best in you. This is however different from the temptations from the devil. Jam 1:2-4, encourages us to put up joy and not a sad outlook, whenever you fall into various trials. The experience will produce endurance, leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace. In the end we will be completely developed in our faith and lacking nothing.

Recall, our discussion earlier on how to hold fast to the vine. God takes special delight in us because He wants us to be spiritually mature; not only for ourselves but for wellbeing of others. Most times when we are going through trials, the devil is quick to presents baits, tempting us to derail from the faith, but we must continue to hold fast to our faith in God, knowing that God is faithful. During the pruning period our focus and gaze should always be on Jesus, the vine. Heb. 12:2 makes that clear.

Always take solace in His word in Is 49:15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.”

Sometimes we mix trials from God with temptation from the devil: Jam 1:13 tells us God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. Abraham after waiting on God for so long to have a child wanted to alter the course of history by presenting Ishmael to God as his heir in Gen 18:17. But God stood by His promises and covenant in Gen 21:2-3 that Sarah will bear to him a son - Isaac.”

Not only does the vine supply nutrients to the branches for fruitfulness, it also holds it against severe weather. Dan 3:24-30 gave a vivid account of how Jesus came to the rescue of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the burning furnace. In the end the three Hebrew boys were promoted to higher positions.

PURGING TAKES US HIGHER AND GREATER.
Successful sportsmen keep their bodies well-disciplined with rigorous exercises, deprive themselves of certain food items and are generally very disciplined. Heb 12:4-11 TPT is such an encouraging read when passing through the pruning season: It encourages us not to underestimate the value of the discipline and training of the Lord God, or get depressed when he has to correct us. In v1 of the same 12th chapter of Hebrews, it says if we stand firmly against sin we so easily fall into, then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us. You need to re-examine yourself to identify your area(s) weakness. These are sins we easily fall into. Again, because God has taken delight in you, the grace to run the race of life and finish we land strong is therefore released to you.

2Pet 1:3-4 TPT says everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by his divine power. And as we partner with His divine nature, we escaped the corrupt desires that are of the world.” The easy path for the devil to infiltrate a life is through the body. Therefore subjecting your body to discipline against sinful desires automatically disarms the devil. I Cor 9:27 Apostle Paul says “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

CONCLUSION
The ultimate goal of every believer is to achieve the reward of making heaven in the end. But that reward is premised the pruning process. The pruning process is a life-long experience. The hotter the furnace, the purer the precious metal becomes; so we become when we allow ourselves to go through the pruning process. Mal 3:Himself Jesus .3His father. We must follow His footsteps to get the crown thought us total obedience to someday. Heb. 5:8-9 makes this clear.