Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit He purge [prunes] it, that it may bring forth more fruit – John 15:2.

Every branch is said to be in Christ and speaks of a Christian’s legal and family position due to God’s grace.

“In Me” emphasizes a deep, abiding fellowship with the Father, not one-day-of-the-week fellowship but daily fellowship. This fellowship will involve a process of discipline regarding His commandments.

No plant produces fruit instantaneously, fruit is the result of a process. Prune means cleanses; naturally speaking once the fruit is on the vine, the vinedresser cleanses the fruit of bugs and other material that would harm the fruit. Spiritually, the vinedresser is the Father and He inspects the fruit of His children to see if there are attachments of sin in the heart, body, or spirit, if so, He takes us through a process that will purge the sin out of us to produce godly fruit. We also receive cleansing when we consistently pray and read His Word.

Every Christian should be producing fruit (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such, there is no law – Galatians – Galatians 5:22-23). In contrast to the works of the flesh (plural) which any individual is capable of performing, the fruit of the Spirit (singular) which is the Holy Spirit can be produced only by God when we allow Him to take us through the process of spiritual cleansing.

Christian character is the result of “Christ living in me”, for this fruit to develop, all nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit must mature. (Love) Love is the willing, sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of another without thoughts of return. It’s the divine love God has imparted in us to love Him and to love others (Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth [brag], not itself, is not puffed up – 1st Corinthians 13:4).

(Joy) Joy is the gladness of the heart, the emotional excitement, gladness, and delight over blessings received or expected for self and others. An example of joy: The Magi – Matthew 2:10; Elizabeth – Luke 1:41-45; Mary – Luke 1:46-56; Zachariah – Luke 1:64-79; Angels when one repent – Luke 15:10; the resurrection – Matthew 28:8.

(Peace) – Peace is the tranquility of mind, freeing one from worry and fear. Peace is the state of quietness, rest, repose, harmony, and security during turmoil, strife, and temptation. When Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den because of his dedication to prayer, he had peace of mind that God was going to deliver him for his faithfulness to God and prayer – Daniel 6:14-28.

(Longsuffering) Longsuffering is patience, with others which is the opposite of a short temper, a disposition quietly bearing injury. To bear long with the frailties, offenses, injuries, and provocations of others, without murmuring or resentment (I, therefore, the prison of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation [calling] wherewith ye are called. With all lowliness and meekness with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace – Ephesians 4:1-3).

(Gentleness) Gentleness is kindness, a disposition to be gentle, soft-spoken, kind, even-tempered, refined in character and conduct (And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt [able] to teach patient. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves if God preadventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth – 2nd Timothy 2:24-25).

(Goodness) – Goodness is generosity, the state of being kind, and Christ-like in life and conduct (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth – Ephesians 5:9). The believer’s position has changed from darkness [sin] to light [righteousness]. Believers are to change their walk to correspond to their position in Christ.

(Faith) Faith is dependability, the living, divinely, implanted and created the principle of inward and whole-hearted confidence in God and what He says in His Word (1) To be persuaded – Romans 4:17-22; 2nd Timothy 1:12 (2) Confidence – Ephesians 3:12; Philippians 1:6 (3) Assurance of things not seen – Hebrews 11:1; Romans 8:24-25 (4) Dependence of the Word of God – Matthew 15:28; Romans 10:17 (5) Surrender and obedience – Romans 16;26; Hebrews 11:6 (6) Trust wholly in God’s faithfulness – 1st Corinthians 10:13, 1st Timothy 4:16 (7) Live in new way of life – 1st John 1:7; Colossians 3:5-12.

(Meekness) Meekness is gentleness, which is courtesy and consideration of others. An even balanced in tempers and passions, and patient in suffering injuries without filling a spirit of revenge (The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way – Psalm 25:9).

(Temperance) Temperance is self-control, the ability to harness one’s actions (Every man that strive for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown: but we and incorruptible – 1st Corinthians 9:25). Temperance is needed to assist Christians not to enter into sin. Every Christian should be producing Spiritual fruit.