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Tuesday, August
4, 2009
The Cutting Edge
John 15:1-2 I am the true vine, and my
Father is the husbandman. (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. (KJV)
John 15:2
[He
purgeth it] Or rather he prunes it, or cleanses it by pruning. It may be
imperfectly seen by retaining the Greek words "Every branch in me that
beareth not fruit he taketh away [airei
(grk 142)]; every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it
[kathairei (grk 2508)]; now ye are
clean [katharoi (grk 2513)],"
etc. The same Greek word in different forms is still retained. God purifies
all true Christians so that they may be more useful. He takes away that
which hindered their usefulness; teaches them; quickens them; revives them;
makes them more pure in motive and in life. This he does by the regular
influences of his Spirit in sanctifying them, purifying their motives,
teaching them the beauty of holiness, and inducing them to devote themselves
more to him. He does it by taking away what opposes their usefulness,
however much they may be attached to it, or however painful to part with
it; as a vine-dresser will often feel himself compelled to lop off a branch
that is large, apparently thrifty, and handsome, but which bears no fruit,
and which shades or injures those which do. So God often takes away the
property of his people, their children, or other idols. He removes the
objects which bind their affections, and which render them inactive. He
takes away the things around man, as he did the valued gourds of Jonah
<Jonah 4:5-11>, so that he may feel his dependence, and live more to
the honor of God, and bring forth more proof of humble and active piety. (from
Barnes' Notes)
I know, I know, all you heard about in
the beginning of your walk with the Lord is all the blessings. Well, to
quote a phrase, “no pain no gain”. Not everything you experience is going
to be joyful, but at times grievous; however, the end result will bring
forth healing to an area of your walk that was hindering you and would have
lead to death if not dealt with.
Mark 9:45-47 And if thy foot offend thee,
cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two
feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (46)
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (47) And if thine
eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the
kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
(KJV)
Sounds a bit brutal, maybe harsh
descriptions, but I can assure you that cutting something out of your life
that was misleading you is much better than the end result of an eternity
cut off from God. No matter how attached you may have been to something or
someone, or how you have been accustomed to a certain part of yourself, if
it is misleading you or like a cancer it is choking the life out of you it
needs to be cut off, and you move on in your walk with the Lord. The word ‘halt’
refers to maimed or crippled; and like with many disabled people we see in
this world today they learn to walk a new way, or a new path in order to
continue their lives.
Hebrews 12:5-7 And ye have forgotten the
exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not
thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: (6)
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he
receiveth. (7) If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons;
for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (KJV)
The Lord’s surgical tools; His word is
described as being sharper than any two edged sword, cutting out the old so
that the new can spring forth. Do not think it strange when the Lord brings
correction to your walk, or asks you to walk away from something or someone
that is more of a hindrance than a benefit. The correction is brought forth
because the Lord loves you, not because he hates you or considers you a
failure. You are on the cutting edge so that you won’t be cut off from your
only source of living waters.
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