I couldn't even produce a leaf if I tried. And that's just the way we feel when faced with God's longing for us. All the vine dresser expected from the vine branch in the parable were grapes. But the heavenly Vine Dresser takes delight in each of us producing the ninefold fruit that Paul lists for us. Now it is true that with a bit of effort we may be able to learn a bit of patience or self-control.
Some people are naturally kinder or more generous than others.
But they are unlikely to produce the rich sweet fruit that God has in mind. And anything we produce by our own effort quickly turns to self-righteousness, which has a sour taste for others and even more so for the heavenly Farmer. Let's face it, there is no way we can produce by self-effort the kind of fruit that we are designed to bring forth in our lives. And that is exactly what Jesus said. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me . . .