Pruned by the Word (John 15:3)

I’m continuing to meditate on John 15, pondering abiding and bearing fruit. As I considered how one bears fruit, Father reminded me that we are pruned that we might bear more fruit. Then He highlighted verse 3 (AMP):

You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you…

The word for “cleansed and pruned” here is katharos (G2513), which is fully defined as follows:

Outline of Biblical Usage:

1. clean, pure
   1. physically
      1. purified by fire
      2. in a similitude, like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit
   2. in a levitical sense
      1. clean, the use of which is not forbidden, imparts no uncleanness
   3. ethically
      1. free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt
      2. free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine
      3. blameless, innocent
      4. unstained with the guilt of anything

I love this. The word cleans and purifies us. The word purifies us like fire. The word causes us to be free from corrupt desire. The word frees us from every admixture of what is false, makes us genuinely sincere. The word restores innocence. The Word makes us unstained with the guilt of anything. No wonder being pruned like this causes us to bear fruit!

The question then becomes how much time are you spending in the word? Are you giving yourself the time with the Word to be changed? Remember Yeshua (Jesus) is the Word made flesh (John 1), so time in the word is time with Him. Abide in His love (John 15:9).

Father, forgive us for neglecting Your word. I pray we have an ever increasing desire for more of Your word – for more of You – that we might be pruned and come away changed and bearing much fruit. For Your glory…