The Process of Purging

John 15:1-8 (KJV)
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 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. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

The purging of a branch indicates that God is pleased with it. One would think that God would purge the branch that doesn't yield any fruit whatsoever so that it would start to bring forth. Alas, God's ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts. It is the fruitful branch - the productive child of the King - that receives this purging process.

The reason is simple: the Lord wants more fruit from this already producing branch. We are cleansed by His words. His words flow toward us as nutrients flow from a tree to its branches. A continual intake of the Word of God will secure eternal truths in our lives. Lest one think it will be an easy task of receiving from the Lord, it is important to remember Hebrews 4:12 at this point:

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of the Lord will indeed allow more fruit to be produced by the believer, but the believer must prepare themselves for the sword to come and purge - or prune - that which hinders greater fruit. It will divide the areas of our lives that do not compliment the areas that are sanctified to the Lord. When we see the clear line of distinction between what helps and what hinders our spiritual relationship with the Lord we can confidently leave those hindrances behind and continue to walk in the Spirit.