I Am Because You Are October 21, 2025 Devotional

JOHN 15:2, 6 | ² He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit.   Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.

⁶ Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

How exciting it is to hear the promise of a fruitful life in Christ. To convey His grace to others, to show His compassion, to speak His truth, to offer His healing and forgiveness, and then to see how His Spirit blesses and changes others—it is amazing. There is nothing better than to see God build His kingdom both in us and through us, and to know we are making an eternal difference.

How scary is the judgement that flows from unfruitfulness. God will increase our effectiveness by “pruning,” that is by helping us use our gifts and resources and time in productive ways, avoiding the secondary and the wasteful. But if we are barren and without any impact, if we don’t long to see the kingdom come and work for it, we’ll be judged. The root of unfruitfulness is disconnection from Christ and failure to abide.

Why is judgement attached to the call to fruitfulness?

Gracious God,

You call us to be fruitful and connected to You in all we do. This is because people are precious and faith matters. Give us clear sighted urgency and great passion to serve You effectively.

Amen.