John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
~ Jesus
Pondering Point
I am chosen in Christ and appointed to bear fruit to God's glory.
Just as Jesus chose His first disciples, He chose you. Just like they bore fruit to God’s glory, this is your destiny in Christ Jesus too: A fruit-bearing follower of Jesus, or as we say at Hope, an acorn-producing mighty oak of righteousness in Jesus. Let’s review your appointment and response to it:
Review
Do you see yourself as chosen by Jesus and appointed to bear fruit as His disciple? If you believe Jesus is Lord, keep reviewing this until your answer is “I am chosen and appointed”. If you have not accepted Jesus as Lord, review Romans 3:21-23, 6:23, and 10:9-10 (listed below) and connect with a believer about these truths.
Romans 3:21-23
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Footnotes:
[h] Romans 3:22 Or through the faithfulness of
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Footnotes:
[b] Romans 6:23 Or through
Romans 10:9-10
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Repent if necessary...
of losing your identity and pursuing lesser callings. You might need to repent of not believing God can use you to produce fruit – a form of false humility.
Return as necessary
Return to this truth from God: He desires that you become an acorn-producing mighty oak, one rooted in His Son Christ Jesus and thriving under the care and direction of the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, bless me to bear the fruit Jesus chose and appointed me to produce – and may I do it united to Jesus and my fellow disciples in Christ. I pray this in the name of Jesus, my Lord. Amen.