Fruit

 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:2 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.15.2.ESV 

This is a scary verse, especially if we're unfruitful in our lives. If we're not producing the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace etc., then God's going to take us away. In other words we're destined for fire. 

This might seem harsh, that God would cast anyone into hell. But we wouldn't question a vinedresser for throwing unfruitful branches into an incinerator. Neither should we question God's prerogative to send sinners to hell. 

Even if we are bearing the fruit of the Spirit, this verse isn't comfortable reading. To be pruned is to have the dead wood cut away, a painful process. But if we want to be ever more fruitful, we must be pruned by God. 

Maybe we feel like we're not very loving, joyful and peaceful, etc. Well it might be a scary thing to pray, but we should ask God to cut away all that is hindering us from becoming the fruitful people He would have us to be. The alternative doesn't bear thinking about! 

'Lord, have mercy upon us for our unfruitfulness. Please cut away anything that's preventing us bearing fruit for You and Your glory, in Jesus' name, amen'

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