The Appointment of a Friend, Part 1

Scripture: John 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Insights:  It ought to give you a great deal of comfort to know while you were still an enemy of God He reconciled Himself with you by the death of His Son (Romans 5:10).  Jesus has just declared that He chose us.  We did not choose Him, but by His grace, He chose us.  What an eternal joy and satisfaction there is to know we are loved by the Creator.  Notice, however, He did not choose us to sit in our pews happy and comfortable.  He chose us in order to appoint us to a task.  The end result of that task is fruit that is born out of our obedience to Him.  We do really well quoting Ephesians 2:8-9 in our gospel presentation, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.”  And it is true we cannot work for our salvation.  It truly is a grace gift from God.  If it were based on our merit, we would boast in our goodness; but Jesus reminds us in His conversation with the rich young ruler that no one is good except God.  We do not typically go on to verse 10 of Ephesians 2 which states, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  From the foundations of time, God knew when you were going to live.  He knew He was going to choose you.  He knew you were created to do good works in Christ Jesus.  And He knew those works would produce fruit.  Salvation is not just some pass that we get to wave in the air and say, “I’m in, I got my fire insurance policy, see, I’m saved,” and then walk around as if nothing has really happened to us.  We are born again to serve Him and bear much fruit.  Beloved, we have got to set aside our agenda.  We have to let go of our desires.  We must serve with unashamed abandon the only One worthy of our service.  We must let our petty differences and opinions go and become unified in service to the One King.  After all, He chose us to be His royal priesthood and chosen nation.  Is He your King?  Then serve Him where He has appointed for you to serve!

Questions:

1. How well are you serving in the role God placed you?
2. Are you bearing fruit for Him in that position?

Prayer: Lord, You have ordered my life and I am grateful.  Let me bear much fruit for You where You have me planted.  I desire for my life to bring You glory.  Amen.