Every branch that bears fruit the Father prunes.

[MoreCoffee]

The Thread's title is from John 15:2. It points to the work of God in the faithful that changes them and enables them to bear fruit. Being pruned may not be what we'd like but it is what God the Father does.

But by whom may the day of his coming be faced? and who may keep his place when he is seen? for he is like the metal-tester's fire and the cleaner's soap. He will take his seat, testing and cleaning the sons of Levi, burning away the evil from them as from gold and silver; so that they may make offerings to the Lord in righteousness. [SUP]Malachi 3:2-3[/SUP]

And not only so, but let us have joy in our troubles: in the knowledge that trouble gives us the power of waiting; And waiting gives experience; and experience, hope: And hope does not put to shame; because our hearts are full of the love of God through the Holy Spirit which is given to us. [SUP]Romans 5:3-5[/SUP] It is for your training that you undergo these things; God is acting to you as a father does to his sons; for what son does not have punishment from his father? But if you have not that punishment of which we all have our part, then you are not true sons, but children of shame. [SUP]Hebrews 12:7-8[/SUP] At the time all punishment seems to be pain and not joy: but after, those who have been trained by it get from it the peace-giving fruit of righteousness. For this cause let the hands which are hanging down be lifted up, and let the feeble knees be made strong [SUP]Hebrews 12:11-12[/SUP]

 

[Lamb]

Cutting back the bad parts of a plant helps to make it thrive.

 

[Brighten04]

Most people miss this about the branch. That is, it grows out from the Vine, meaning Lord Jesus. As He is so are we in this world.

1 John 4:17l
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Born again believers are of the same stuff as Lord Jesus, we have the same Holy Spirit. We are new creations. The reality of this truth needs to settle on the children of God.

 

[Lamb]

Most people miss this about the branch. That is, it grows out from the Vine, meaning Lord Jesus. As He is so are we in this world.

1 John 4:17l
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Born again believers are of the same stuff as Lord Jesus, we have the same Holy Spirit. We are new creations. The reality of this truth needs to settle on the children of God.

True! And we bear fruit because the Holy Spirit is in us and guides us!

 

[Tigger]

I love the way the Lord uses parables in His teachings. It really helps us grasp, utilize and remember them.

Within the consept of 'sinner &'saint' = our old nature and new nature in Christ, the branches the Lord prunes are those of our old nature. Branches are pruned that would otherwise consume nutrients from the vine that could be better used for our growth in the Lord and the works He has predestined for us.

 

[JSales]

Jesus being the vine gives us that needed comfort of knowing we'll be producing that fruit and yet how does this parable relate with the seeds planted in soil rocks and such? The seed is obviously the gospel and we are told that we can wither even though it comes from Jesus.