A branch doesn’t produce fruit by trying harder. It produces fruit by remaining attached. The vine does the work — the branch simply stays. Disconnected, it can do nothing. Connected, it can’t help but bear what the vine was designed to produce. The condition is singular and almost embarrassingly simple.
Pruned and Clean — “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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” (John 15:1-3 ESV) What is being cut back in you?
Apart From Me, Nothing — “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5 ESV) Where are you trying effort rather than connection?
Spiritual Move: Spiritual Friendship — This is the practice of staying close to someone who helps you stay close to God through companionship and accountability in life. “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 ESV)