09/19/2022
Are we bearing fruit for the Lord in His spiritual garden, and if we are, is it the healthy and robust fruit He expects of us? It is easy to begin our spiritual service to the Lord with an amazingly prolific harvest, but then, as the years pass by, to become complacent in our efforts. Some of us, by justifying our limited efforts, will produce just enough to get by while others will adorn themselves with beautiful greenery but yield no fruit at all. The first will be pruned back in an effort to increase the clusters of grapes they produce, while the barren green vines will be removed altogether. Where are we in our season? Do we produce in abundance? Do we give the Lord just enough to meet what we think He expects, or are we covering ourselves in fine rich greenery but adding nothing to the heavenly storehouses?
“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 ESV
Not every branch is capable of yielding equally. Quite often we hear those who are being pruned complaining about the gardener’s shears, and asking why the Lord would do such a severe thing to them; after all, they were providing more than enough, and by their own estimate, what they were bearing was far greater than those around them. That might be true, but not every branch is capable of producing equally.
I knew a man who had two sons; one was athletic and brilliant, while the other was slight and mentally disabled. Although he loved them both the same he didn’t expect that they would contribute to the family equally. Likewise, some of us have been given much, and easily grow large healthy clusters of grapes, while others struggle mightily just to produce a meager yield. The Gardener knows our limitations and tends to us according to each’s ability. We see this clearly in this verse in Luke 12…
“But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
Luke 12:48 ESV
And this is also evident in the story of the widow’s mite…
“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.””
Luke 21:1-4 ESV
So who are we? Are we a strong branch that is capable of producing much more than we currently are? Are we a healthy and robust branch that produces little to nothing? Or, are we a slight and twisted branch that yields far more than any would expect of it? Complain not regarding the gardener’s efforts pertaining to you, and produce according to the limits of your best efforts.
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
Philippians 2:14-16 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the attention of your shears that have produce a mighty harvest in me, and thank you for removing the leafy branches that grow about me that sap the strength of the vine, and have shaded me from the sun. Praised be your name for seeing not who I am, but who I can become, and tending to me accordingly. Let my bounty be your glory. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who prunes us snd cuts us back according to your perfect vision of our possibilities, and limitations. Praised be your name for cutting me back so that my efforts will not be spent on fruitless pursuits, and go instead towards heavy clusters of fruit. Merciful are you who does not cut more from me than what is needed to bring increase. Your grace overflows your vineyard, and touches its every part… your glory lights it and provides for it perfectly, and your Son Jesus pours living water on each plant in times of drought, and in perfect amount as not to diminish the flavor of the grapes. Wash us in the blood of Jesus, remove all sin from us, and forgive us should we produce one vain leaf too many, or few, for the vine to tolerate. Be pleased with us Lord, and may our fruit grow according to your expectation, and best efforts on our behalf.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Rich Forbes