BIBLE
READING
CLEAN
THE TABLE
Purging by the Spirit
Read John 15:1–14
Verses 2–3: "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."
A good way to illustrate what these verses are saying is how
a coach might handle his softball team. From the beginning of
the season, if there is any player who is not really interested
in the game nor putting any effort into it, the coach could cut
him/her off of the team. However, if you show you are serious
about the game, then you are kept on the team and the coach will
start working on your weak spots…in other words, start purging
you. "That was a lousy pitch! Why don’t you throw the way
I told you?" or "You need to focus on that ball or
you’re never going to amount to anything in softball!"
might be "purging" comments that you will hear.
Can you handle that kind of criticism? If we are too easily
offended by correction we receive, then we will not be able to
improve our playing skills! The same goes for the Kingdom of
God. If we have our hearts in the game, and we are beginning to
produce fruit, there will be some constructive criticism coming
our way. Some of it will hurt! The Lord may bring shame or
disappointment our way. He could correct us through our teacher
or our parents. But be encouraged! This correction should tell
us that Jesus thinks we are worth the effort of perfecting and
refining! God has a plan for you, and He needs to make a few
adjustments to get you ready for that plan. Notice, it says in
verse 3 that we are clean through the words of Christ. Study
God's Word and heed His Word. It will take the things out
of you that are preventing you from bearing all the fruit that
God wishes you to bear.
