When we go through hard times in our lives, it can be one of the best times for learning and growing and being pruned. We need the constant cleansing of Jesus' word to keep us clean, which is another reason we hang on to the vine, the body of Christ, the church. Every reading of God's Word should serve as a little pruning in our lives. And if we are not reading daily on our own, we should be hearing that Word in worship on Sundays when God the Vinedresser prunes us a bit more. Jesus is the Light of the world that we need in order to see life clearly.
Fruit is servanthood.
It is following the way of the cross of Christ. It is spending ourselves for others rather than living for self. Fruitful living makes a real difference in the world around us, not just the world within us. Secondly, fruit is to experience the remarkable surprise of joy . The whole allegory points toward the gift of joy.