KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT

The succulence of its fruit

As the branch is grafted in;

Into the vine so it is nourished

Producing quality from within.

When the branch is not grafted in

It will wither eventually;

Thrown into the fire, to be burned

Where no more fruit it sees.

When the branch is pruned

It will bear an abundance of fruit,

Because its initial state was life-producing

And its fruit is living proof.

When the fruit is rotten

It’s where the worm will abide;

Where the birds of the air have their fill

And where its nourishment has died.

A tree is known by its fruit

And the result will speak for itself,

As to whether the tree is good or bad

According to the condition of its health.

Likewise, when one is grafted in

Into God’s spiritual vine,

The fruit of love, peace, kindness and joy

Along with gentleness will shine.

Pruning will be painful

As our carnal ways do die,

But it’s required if we’re to produce

Much fruit and to abide.

God is the vinedresser

And if we are His branches,

Then Jesus is the true vine

Where every good fruit He enhances.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:1-2

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.” John 15:5

“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:6

“Either make the tree good and the fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.” Matthew 12:33

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:8