S – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit

John 15:1–2 ESV

 O – Jesus establishes that He is the vine (the connecting point for man to God) and God is the gardener.  If someone isn’t bearing fruit, he is removed from God.  Interestingly, the one that is bearing fruit is pruned.  The greek word is katharŏs, kath-ar-os´:clean (lit. or fig.):— clean, clear, pure (James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – If one isn’t in relationship with God or not bearing fruit, he is removed.  But those who do know God and doing good things still have “parts that need to be cleansed, removed or purified.”  God will continue to work on us and give us challenges to refine us to bear more fruit. There is still pain when you are bearing fruit.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Master Gardener.  You prune and mold us creating pain in our lives. Empower us to step toward your pruning and cleansing so we can bear more fruit.