“The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
God’s Word cuts away the things that don’t belong in our life. Somethings we know need to go, even despite the pain and hurt they cause as we desperately cling to the old ways. Other things He cuts away with the precision of the finest surgeon, what would be missed by even a close look. When I think about this scripture, I think of John 15:2.
“He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit.” John 15:2
I was sharing with someone the other day, that at times during the process, it can be hard to tell the difference between disciple and correction from God and His careful pruning. Having things stripped away, is never pleasant. Sometimes a little cut can hurt much more than a deep one.
I look back at my life and the big things that He cut away, I knew would come to an end as I drew closer to Him. I knew for me, smoking pot, drinking in excess, smoking were things that as a Christian I shouldn’t have in my life. I held on to them longer than I should of even as He corrected me. I knew the angry outbursts and need for control would also need to go; neither belong in the life of someone who is suppose to reflect Jesus. It was still painful in the moment; I expected that cutting away, discipline and correction though.
The smaller things, the motives of my heart, the little thoughts I would think longer than needed to take them captive, however those I didn’t really think about God pruning away. I didn’t think about as I became closer to Him more would be coming off my life. I didn’t consider as I surrendered to certain calls on my life things that are okay for others would become a snare to me.
Pruning is often cutting the little sprouts off that could suck the nutrients needed for the growth of the overall plant. They might not be spotted by the untrained gardener, but someone focused on growth will snip those right off. Please don’t mistake me for someone who knows anything about plants; I had a friend who shared that during discipleship discussion.
The thing is, God is a gentle gardener. He asks before He cuts. He does not force change upon us; although He will certainly tie things up trying to grow us in the right way. We have free will, we can rebel against His correction. We can refuse to submit to the little things that seem like “no big deal.” However, those little things that suck our time, our attention, and our focus keep us from the abundant life He wants for us. He wants to see us grow even more than we want to find out purpose.
If we will let Him, the Word of God can shape our life for the best growth, the most direct growth, and the biggest production of fruit that we were designed for. In order to do it though, we have to read it daily. We have to apply it to our lives. We have to let God have His perfect work in us and be willing to submit to the process. At times, it will hurt, but the fruit that is produced from a submitted life will fair outweigh the pain. When we let Him remove the big through correction, He will then prune the little and the result with produce more fruit that we can imagine!
Prayer – Lord, help me to allow Your Word to be alive and active in my life. It is sharper than any double-edged sword, and although I don’t always like it, I need it. Cut all the way through, to where my soul and my spirit meet, judge the desires and thoughts of my heart. Prune every part of my life that keeps me from producing the fruit You desire to produce in me. Take me though the process so I can produce more fruit for You!
Restoring Voice 
Leave a Reply