Page 129 - Radical Love by Linda Robinson

RADICAL LOVE

Notice how, in this verse, it says that the season for singing and pruning

the vines has arrived. This is an indication of her now entering a new
level of maturity, because pruning is painful, yet singing is joyful. How

can this be? How can we sing when going through the difficult process
of God cutting away from us those things that hinder the flow of the

Holy Spirit and cloud the view of Him being seen in our lives?

I believe the answer to this paradoxical question can be found in John
15. In verse 2 of this chapter in the New International Version (NIV),

it says that “…while every branch that bears fruit he prunes, so that it
becomes even more fruitful.” To become more fruitful is to become

more Christlike.

My Bible notes had this to say on the subject:

“The fruit that the heavenly Gardener looks for is Christ-likeness. To

be productive, a branch must submit to pruning—that is, to the
beneficent discipline of the Father—and must maintain an abiding

union with the Vine.”

People of God, we can therefore sing because:

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on,

however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those
who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11, NIV)

In verse 13, we read how the Bridegroom-King is encouraging her to
believe what He is telling her and to take a step of faith into the new

season with Him. She is being called to run with Him to the higher

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