In our walk with God, connecting with the True Vine, Jesus Christ, is fundamental. This connection signifies falling under grace through His blood, a critical step for any believer. Accepting Jesus as our personal Savior is the first and most significant step, but our journey doesn't end there. We must continue to abide in Him and remain in His love, walking with God daily.
When we abide in Him, His words must remain in us. This abiding isn't passive; it requires active engagement with God's word and aligning our prayers with His promises. Jesus encourages us to ask, but not according to our desires—rather, according to His promises. When we do this, He promises to give us what we ask for to His glory because He loves us deeply.
Bearing much fruit is a hallmark of discipleship. Jesus tells us, "I want you to bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." This fruit is not just the works we do but the transformation in our character, reflecting the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
One of the profound aspects of this journey is recognizing our sinful nature. Realizing our flaws and thorns in the flesh can be humbling. However, this recognition should lead to a deeper understanding of God's love and forgiveness. As we repent and seek purification, God continually forgives and cleanses us, demonstrating His relentless love. As expressed in the transcript, "God is going to prune out your soul from guilt and allow you to see how much He loves you every time that you sin."
Perfect love casts out fear. Many of our pains and traumas are rooted in fear—fear of failure, fear of loss, fear manifesting in various ways. God's perfect love is powerful enough to cast out these fears as if they were entities overshadowing our spirit. John 3:16 reminds us of this perfect love: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Recognizing our sins should create a humility that allows us to see the redemptive and compassionate love of Christ. As mentioned, "Instead of seeing and feeling the guilt, you're going to feel the love of Christ to cleanse you out. God is so merciful that no matter what it is, He's ready to clean you out."
The act of purging by God involves removing guilt and granting us a new relationship with repentance. Instead of being weighed down by guilt, we experience the cleansing love of Christ. This purging is essential for all believers, regardless of their role in the church. Holiness is not reserved for pastors, prophets, or apostles alone; it's a call for everyone. "So we actually do in the Ecclesia, we give Holiness as a responsibility to certain gifts and callings. But God is calling you to be holy."
During times of fasting and prayer, God aims to prune and cut away parts of us that hinder our spiritual growth. This process of purification helps us bear more fruit and reflect God's glory. We are reminded to use God's word in our prayers, pleading with Him through the Psalms and expressing our deepest needs and desires.
In this season, the call to purification and holiness is more significant than ever. God desires to reveal Himself through us, His children, and our journey of purification is a testament to His love and grace. By abiding in Him, we become true ambassadors of Christ, reflecting His love and light to the world.
May we all embrace this journey of purification, allowing God to prune us, cleanse us, and transform us into vessels of His glory. Let us remain in His love, bear much fruit, and continually seek His presence in our lives.
Watch this video for the full message:
https://youtube.com/live/-_l53iC44-o
