Some final thoughts for 2020

God’s pruning of one’s life or the church may be gruelling, excruciating, heart-breaking and even a momentary loss, but that is essential for the growth and productivity of the individual and the church. The pruning will eventually result in strength, unity and accelerated growth.

  • John 15:2 - … and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.

Note that God only prunes the branches that bear fruit. The dictionary defines pruning as "to trim by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth," and this definition works when thinking about pruning in a Christian sense. 

 

How does God prune the life of a believer/chruch?

 

Through His Word

  • John 15:3 - You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 

Through trials and testing

  • James 1:3-4 - Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Through God appointed leaders

  • Ephesians 4:11-13 - So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,  to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Through relationships

  • 1 Thess 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

  • 1 Cor 12:25 - so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other

Sometimes God removes certain "important people" from the church. It may seem to be a loss and very damaging to the unity of the church. But it will be for the "good".Yes, there may be some corrective actions that may have to be taken to ensure that we don’t make the same mistakes. But if you believe that Jesus is the Head of the church and God is fully in control, then He must have allowed it to happen and I believe it’s for the pruning process. Something has to be cut off for something to grow. Pruning facilitates the growing process to take place. So next time when someone leaves, take it as a pruning process for both the church and the person leaving. If seen in this light, the healing process maybe faster and  we can expect greater blessing and harvest in the future. Only ensure that the name of Jesus is not tarnished  or put in bad light by our behaviours. 

  • Matthew 16:18 - And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

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