FRUIT OF THE VINE

 
 “I am the vine, you are the branches. 

He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; 

for without Me you can do nothing. 

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; 

so you will be My disciples. – John 15:5, 8

When a branch on a grapevine produces fruit the grapes are harvested and used for various purposes. The fruit is proof of how good the branch on the vine is. If the branch is healthy and well connected to the vine it will yield bountiful healthy fruit. If the branch is not receiving enough sustenance from the vine the fruit will be inferior in quality.

Once the harvesting is done the grapes are either used for eating or for making juice, jelly, jam or wine. In each instance it requires that the grapes be crushed in order for the goodness that is inside to be enjoyed. In other words, a grape has to "give itself in sacrifice" so that others can benefit from its goodness.

The life of a Christian is a life of giving of oneself. It is a life of sacrifice. Jesus said that as long as we abide (remain intimately connected) in Him we will bear fruit, and it is by the fruit that we bear the Father is glorified.

In the same way that grapes are crushed, squeezed, chewed, and subjected to intense heat we are tested to see what the quality of our fruit is. It is by our fruit that men will be able to taste and see that the Lord is good!- Psalm 34:8

 But the fruit of the Spirit is 

love,

 joy, 

peace, 

 kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness, 

self-control. 

– Galatians 5:22

How well do you stand up to the sometimes intense testing? 
What does your fruit taste like? 
Do you yield “sour grapes” or fruit that brings honor to the Father?