“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2 NIV
No pain, no gain is accurately applied to the struggling person in a rigorous exercise program either to lose weight or achieve an athletic goal. The pain involved is overwhelming at times, but as time goes on you notice a change in your overall appearance, strength, and athletic ability. The pain became gain, and you are better for it. The same process works in your spiritual life. No pain, no gain. The difference is that it is not you that is initiating the pain but God through His hand and His pruning shears. And the results are the same, you will be better for it.
In Jesus’ Farewell Discourse to His disciples the night before His crucifixion He covered many topics of which one was ‘bearing fruit’. Using an agricultural example Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” (Jn.15:1 niv) The very essence of being able to bear fruit for Christ or do anything in life is to remain in Him. Jesus also said, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn.15:5b niv) Your success in life and your ability to grow spiritually is to remain in Christ.
Just as a gardener prunes a vine to remove dead branches, bubs, and leaves that are unproductive cutting it back for future growth, the Lord God removes from us what is unproductive and hindering our growth in Christ. He uses His pruning shears to cut away anything that is not pleasing to Him pruning us in a way that alters our behavior to be more like Christ through circumstances He allows us to go through. Notice the gardener will cut off every branch that doesn’t produce any fruit. These non-producing branches are those who professed Christianity but show no visible signs of it. Take note Jesus also says those branches that are bearing fruit, true believers in Christ, are still subject to pruning. The goal is spiritual growth in Christ, so don’t resist God’s pruning shears, remember no pain, no gain.
Word for the Soul 