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I AM AN 80 YEAR OLD MALE, BORN AGAIN, CHRISTIAN WITH A LOVE FOR JESUS. I DO NOT GET OUT MUCH ANYMORE BUT FIND THAT TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT THE LOVE JESUS HAS FOR THEM IS NOT ONLY WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO BUT SOMETHING THAT THE WORLD NEEDS.
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LET GOD PRUNE YOU HIS WAY
FROM ANDREW WOMMACK MINISTRIES
LET GOD PRUNE YOU HIS WAY
John 15:2 "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
JOHN 15:2
This purging has been interpreted in many ways. The illustration that Jesus is using is one of pruning; therefore, some have said this purging is a very painful process where the Lord cuts and slashes us through things like sickness, death, poverty, and other forms of tragedy so that eventually we will bear more fruit. This teaching not only promotes problems as being good, but necessary, if we want to bear more fruit.
That thinking is not consistent with the rest of God's Word or even the context of this verse. The text makes it very clear that the purging that Jesus speaks of is done through the Word that He has spoken unto us.
Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that God's Word was given to us "for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." That is God's method of pruning us, and He doesn't need the devil's help. His word will make us "perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
That is not to say that we cannot learn through tragedy: but God has a better way. If we mistakenly think that God is bringing tragedy into our lives to make us more fruitful, then we'll not resist the tragedies and they will not flee from us. All of us will learn by hard knocks, but the man who welcomes them with wide open arms will suffer greatly and be far behind the man who lets God's Word have His perfect work in him.
This is one of the few times I disagree with Andrew Wommack's emphasis.
I'll agree it's easier to learn from the Bible, but trials and tribulations have a place in the life of a Christian. Not senseless tragedies mind you, but tests, afflictions, and discipline, that are not just the correction of the Word.
We are told that God disciplines those he loves , like a Father meting out punishment to an erring child. Such discipline is unpleasant , but for our ultimate good (Heb. 12:7-11). We must trust his plan for our lives. Besides corrective discipline, God allows trials and tribulations to strengthen us, and cause spiritual growth.
Romans 5:3 ...we also rejoice in our sufferings , knowing that suffering works perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: and hope doesn't disappoint us...
Gardeners sometimes prune plants to cause them to grow better. Some things (we perceive as bad or unpleasant) God allows because of the harvest it produces in us Spiritually. This is another form of suffering that is actually good for us, in the long run.
You see, God is not a cosmic Santa Claus like some teachers make him out to be. He is far more interested in forming a right character and faith in you, than he is in spoiling you with wealth, or lavish creature comforts. He may even allow the devil to deprive you of your worldly comforts, to try your faith.
Job's faith was tested and he was a better man because of it. The fact that God gave back double what was taken from him, was just an added bonus to the real benefit - faith tried in the furnace of affliction .
Isa. 48:10 Behold, I have refined you , but not as silver; I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction .
I remind you that I am not talking about the senseless tragedies that sometimes occur in life. However, I'm also not just talking about the correction of the Word which Andrew emphasizes. While we can and should be corrected by the word, I believe Andrew is dead wrong when he makes this the hardships of the pruning and refining process.
The great apostle Paul suffered beatings, scourging, stoning, persecution, opposition, shipwreck, peril, privation, imprisonment, and was eventually beheaded. Why did God allow this? When he spoke of sufferings Paul wasn't talking about having your conscience pricked by the word - yet he said this:
2 Corinthians 4:17 Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine.
The concept of being purified by suffering, and having our faith tested, is all through the Word.
Acts 14:22 "We must endure many hardships to get into the kingdom of God." 1 Peter 1:6-7 ...you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being t ested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials ...
Peter says above that the trials have a definite purpose - to test and purify our faith so that it is genuine. He says below that we should consider it normal, not strange, that these fiery trials come...
1 Peter 4:12-13: " Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you...
It is also helpful to keep in mind that the tests God brings, are only for a season. When their purpose is complete, God himself will restore and establish you. Perhaps in a new level of responsibility, or with greater power to operate in. He is growing you up into Christ, refining you, strengthening you, leading you into greater things...
1 Peter 5:10 ... after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. Job 23:10 ...when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
I took my comments from an article I previously wrote called " Why Does God Allow Suffering ?"
WE DO HAVE PAIN, SUFFERING AND DISTRESS AND MAYBE THE DISCIPLINE IS TO LET US GO THROUGH THIS BECAUSE WE BRING IT ON OURSELVES. I BELIEVE IF WE CONFESS THE THINGS THAT HAVE BROUGHT ON THIS PAIN, SUFFERING AND DISTRESS, GOD WILL TAKE IT ALL AWAY. GALATIANS 3:13 SAYS "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT GOD PUTS SICKNESS ON US TO TEACH US SOMETHING. WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED FROM THE CURSE AND ANYWAY, WHAT LOVING FATHER WOULD PUT SOMETHING LIKE CANCER ON ONE OF HIS CHILDREN. NOT MY GOD. HE LOVES ME TOO MUCH.