"I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. He breaks of every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit. You have been made clean already by the teaching I have given you. Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me."

"I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me. Whoever does not remain in me is thrown out like a branch and dries up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. My Father’s glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples."

John 15:1-8

Grapes are the result of the life on the vine flowing through the branches. Sometimes we look at teaching Sunday school or getting involved in the activities of the church as being fruitful. These are good things to do, but Jesus said being fruitful is allowing His life to flow through us. Fruitfulness is not a matter of what a person can accomplish. It is the result of being in close fellowship with Him. Is the life of Jesus flowing through you? Does His life flow through you in the ordinary activities and relationships on a day to day basis? Do the "grapes" of your life point others to the Vine?

Fruitfulness for Christ depends on fellowship with Christ.

Our Daily Bread – April 7, 2003