Surgery is usually the LAST thing any patient wants to hear that is enduring a medical issue. It is also usually the last resort on the list of options to medically correct a problem. However, when it is necessary, we allow it for the betterment of our physical health, but what about for our spiritual health? The bible discusses what it means to have a “spiritual surgery” in John Chapter 15. Though painful, it is needed if you wish to become fully mature in the body of Christ.
“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 be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” John 15:1-3 NIV
We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. We are already clean because Jesus came to make us clean by rescuing us from darkness. That is something that we don’t have to earn or toil for. However, what we do have control over is whether or not we allow God to cut away some things and prune us. The word “prune” means to cut away dead or overgrown branches. There are some areas in our lives that are dead, yet we’re still holding on to—toxic relationships, grudges, anger, traumatic experiences, betrayal, etc. Whatever dead thing you are carrying God is prepared, scalpel in hand, to cut off that dead thing that is producing no fruit. It could also be a poor attitude, addictions, bad habits, procrastination, wrong mentalities, impatience, hatred, or fear. Whatever is not producing good fruit in your life has got to go! God wants to cultivate the branches of your life that are producing good things. No one is expecting you to be a fully matured apple tree overnight. But, as you dive more into God’s word, allowing it to wash over you, He will begin to water the seeds of His Word in you. Those seeds may start off small inside your heart, but God gives the increase allowing those seeds to produce fruit. The fruit of kindness, love, goodness, patience, self-control, and peace are some of those fruits, just to name a few (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV). Know that your life experiences are the very things that God chooses not to throw away, but instead use for His glory. So, instead of protecting the dead branches that the enemy is hoping that you hold on to, let God prune them. As you persevere through the temptations of holding on to those dead things, you will begin to see amazing things blossom in your life.
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1: 4 NIV
Original post date: 1/28/2020
Edited: 9/3/2024
