Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit (Matthew 7:17). Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 12:33). Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them (Matthew 7:20).
Remain in me, and I will remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself;
it must remain in the vine.
Neither can you bear fruit
unless you remain in me.
John 15:4
No man [truly] making a profession of faith sinneth; nor does he that possesses love hate any one. The tree is made manifest by its fruit; so those that profess themselves to be Christians shall be recognized by their conduct. For there is not now a demand for mere profession, but that a man be found continuing in the power of faith to the end (St. Ignatius).
I am the vine, you are the branches:
He that stays in me, and I in him,
the same brings forth much fruit:
for without me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
Let us ask our Lord to work in us and through us, and let us do our utmost to draw Him down into our hearts, for He Himself has said: "Without Me you can do nothing" (St. Madeleine Sophie Barat).
