Branches

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit” (John 15:1-2).

When I was young and involved in an organized church centered around evangelism, I surmised that the ‘fruit’ of the branch was Christian converts; I believed it was my sole purpose to bring them into the fold. Since most church members aren’t naturally confident evangelists, many of us felt like we were not fruit-bearing branches. This resulted in a nagging sense of self-condemnation, guilt, and shame regarding our perceived failure to thrive.

I was relieved to understand, through further Bible study, that we are not all called to be evangelists actively harvesting souls. While God’s love compels us to witness, it is the Holy Spirit who leads the lost to repentance and salvation through the power of the Gospel. Jesus described the nature of fruit in His teaching: “Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit... A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, neither can a bad tree produce good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-18). He further clarified, “The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me” (John 15:5), and, “My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8).

The fruit of the Spirit cannot be contrived; it only emerges when we are one with the Father and the Son. As the apostle John wrote, “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16). Paul wrote to the Galatians that the fruit of the Spirit is "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” all of which a Christlike loving spirit produce.

The earthly ministry of Jesus is our perfect example of a fruit-bearing branch. He assured us, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father... The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works” (John 14:9-11). These attributes—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—only emerge consistently when the Father and Jesus abide in us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pruning is something we increasingly recognize as necessary, yet it remains unpleasant because it typically involves sacrifice or suffering. Barriers to fruitfulness—such as resentment, judgmentalism, unforgiveness, idolatry, prejudice, doubt, and unhealthy attachments—must be clipped away so that our resources can be devoted to growth.

As Paul summarized, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Solomon also taught, “My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11-12).

Paul offers further encouragement: “God is treating you as sons... He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:7, 10-11). Pruning is a clear sign of God’s love and His pleasure in us—a process that continues until we leave this world for heaven.

Father, help us to embrace our pruning as confirmation of Your love. Assist us in loving others as You love us. Keep us spiritually alert so we recognize opportunities to witness to those desperately crying out for You. Help us to be more like You every day to glorify the Father. Amen.

 mgb