Jesus says we are his friends if we keep His commandments.
He laid down His life for us.
When we keep His commandments, we abide in His love.
Jesus compared Himself to a vine and His disciples to branches.
The branches can’t produce fruit if they’re not attached to the vine. The vine nourishes the branches and helps them become fruitful. Sometimes, the branches need pruning. It may be painful for a moment, but pruning helps the branch produce even more fruit.
We are those branches, and through Christ, we can produce fruit. Fruit is helping others come to Christ, loving and serving others, and fulfilling our purpose in this life.