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

Every branch is said to be in Christ and speaks of a Christian legal and family position due to God’s grace. Christians’ lifestyles should be different from those of nonbelievers.

Every Christian should be producing fruit, but many don’t because they have not completely surrendered their lives to Christ. The first fruit one should be manifesting is the Fruit of the Spirit, which is some of the characteristics of God: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

Just as a child has the characteristics of their biological father, Christians should have the characteristics of their spiritual Father. Wisdom Fruit (My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold: and my revenue than choice silver – Proverbs 8:19). The wisdom of God is used in three senses in Scripture (1) It refers to the higher perspective by which God understands everything man is incapable of understanding. (2) The understanding which a Christian should have in life. (3) Wisdom is seen as a type of Christ, who is our wisdom.

God is willing to give everyone wisdom that asks for it, and we need wisdom for both our natural lives and spiritual lives (If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him – James 1:5). So many times we forget or ignore God when we want to start a business, purchase a home or car, or getting married. If we would consult Him not only in these areas but in every area of our lives, we wouldn’t have as many regrets and disappointments. Whether we know it or not we need the wisdom of God.

Many lives have been destroyed because the person didn’t have wisdom in their actions (And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth – 2nd Samuel 3:33). David is saying, that Abner died because he followed his intuition, rather than the wisdom of God. Had Abner entered the city of refuge as God had instructed, Joab would have been unable to kill him.

God ordered six Levitical cities to be stationed in the land as cities of refuge. A person guilty or unintentional manslaughter could escape blood revenge by fleeing to one of these cities. No matter where a person lived, there would be a city of refuge within a reasonable distance because the towns were strategically spread all over the land to protect the avenger from taking vengeance.

If Abner had entered into one of the cities of refugee he wouldn’t have been murdered by Joab. If he had only followed the instructions; but like most people they don’t want to follow instructions.

Righteous Fruit (Being filled with the fruit of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God – Philippians 1:11). This fruit in the believer’s life is pure and without offense before God has divinely developed in him or her a practical righteousness or daily moral life that measures up to God’s standards in character and conduct.

Fruit of Peace (And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace – James 3:18). To have peace we must follow peace with all people with godliness. Sometimes that’s hard to do with difficult people, but it’s possible if you have a determination to do so. If you’re dealing with a difficult person, you have to make your visit or conversation brief.

Fruit of Good Works (That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; – Colossians 1:10). Fruitful in every good work is being productive in Christian service and becoming spiritually stronger. Having a habit of giving thanks for both the pleasant and unpleasant experiences in their life.

It’s being kind and tender-hearted towards all people. When you have been born of the Spirit of God, it’s not difficult to show love at all times. It’s easy to always give a helping hand to those who are in need, give someone an encouraging word, or a compliment.

Fruit of Giving (Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away – Matthew 5:42). Why is it so hard for Christians to understand that giving will bless them as well as the person receiving the gift? Giving is not always monetary, it’s our time, talents, and spiritual gifts. We give not to receive, but to follow the instructions of the Lord. If our hands are always out to receive and never see where we can be a blessing to someone else, something is wrong with our Christianity.

Many professing Christians will spend a hundred dollars or more for entertainment, and when they enter into the house of worshiper when it’s time for giving they drop a dollar in the offering basket, but they want big blessings from the Lord.

The Lord has promised, that if we give, it shall be given back to us. This does not always mean monetarily. It could be salvation for your household, spared from sickness and diseases, or your marriage healed. God will always repay His people for their faithfulness and obedience.

As Christians, we are to produce much fruit and it comes by submitting ourselves to God, following the instruction. As we submit ourselves to Him then we will begin to produce fruit that will be a blessing to ourselves and others.

If we’re not producing spiritual fruit, something is wrong and we are subject to be disciplined by God. Those that God loves, He disciplines them because He doesn’t want them to enter into disobedience and be subject to His wrath as it will be with the world.