View source for You will have to endure the pruning knife!

'''Back to [[Spurgeon GEMS volume 3]]'''
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<p>The promise of the <em>old </em>covenant—is <em>prosperity</em>.<br>
      The promise of the <em>new </em>covenant—is <em>adversity</em>. <br>
      <br>
      The true Christian expects to have his reward in the next life—and to endure hardness in this life. Remember Christ's words, "Every branch that produces fruit," What? "He prunes it, that it may bring forth fruit." If you bring forth fruit—<strong>you will have to endure the pruning knife!  </strong><br><br>
      "Alas!" you say, "that is a terrible prospect." But this affliction works out such precious <em>results</em>, that the Christian who is the subject of it must learn to rejoice in tribulations; because as his tribulations abound—so his consolations abound by Christ Jesus.<br><br> Rest assured, if you are a child of God—<em>you will be no stranger to the "rod"!</em> Sooner or later, every bar of <em>gold </em>must pass through the <em>refining fire</em>.<br><br> Fear not—but rather rejoice that such <em>fruitful</em>times are in store for you, for in them you will be weaned from earth and made fit for Heaven; you will be delivered from clinging to the present world, and made to long for those eternal things which are so soon to be revealed to you.