MY PURPOSE? TO BEAR FRUIT. Isaiah 5:1-4.

We are here to bear fruit.

But how?  The same way trees bear fruit. They need sunlight, water, and soil.  They also need a few years—peach trees and grape vines often don’t bear fruit until year three or four.  First, they need good roots.

God explains Himself as a farmer with crops that are unsatisfying:

“The one I love had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He broke up the soil, cleared it of stones, and planted it with the finest vines. He built a tower in the middle of it and even dug out a winepress there. He expected it to yield good grapes, but it yielded worthless grapes…. What more could I have done for my vineyard than I did?  Why, when I expected a yield of good grapes, did it yield nothing but worthless grapes?”  Isaiah 5:1-4.

Jesus extended the metaphor even further:

“I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He PRUNES so that it will bear even more fruit….  I am the vine. YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. If you remain in Me, you will bear much fruit, but apart from Me, you can do NOTHING” John 15:1-2,5.

It takes time before a vine is ready to bear fruit. But once the roots are established, what if you bear only “worthless grapes” or too little fruit?

Then God will prune you.  In fact, even if you bear A LOT of fruit, God promises to prune you—so you will bear even more!  “EVERY BRANCH THAT BEARS FRUIT, HE PRUNES SO THAT IT WILL BEAR EVEN MORE FRUIT” v.2.

God, help us to see ALL our struggles as YOUR PRUNING.  Thank you for caring about us and making us more fruitful. Give us courage and faith to face the pruning shears.

ΑΩ