Ask Anything

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you." John 15:16

In today's text, Jesus speaks about God's sovereignty and our purpose in Him. We see that we are chosen with intentionality, appointed for fruitfulness, and granted access to the Father's blessings.

Jesus' words, "You did not choose me, but I chose you," turn the focus from our human efforts to God's divine initiative. Our relationship with Christ is not the result of our choosing but rather the outworking of His sovereign grace, demonstrating His love and desire for an intimate connection with His people. 

Our calling extends beyond sheer existence and is a divine appointment for purposeful living. Jesus affirms that we are appointed to "go and bear fruit." This fruitfulness encompasses the impact our lives can have as we align with God's will. Our lives are meant to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which the Apostle Paul lists in his letter to the Galatians. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22

Furthermore, Jesus emphasizes that our fruit should "abide," signifying a lasting impact beyond the immediate. The fruit of our lives should have a lasting effect on those around us. 

The verse concludes by offering an extraordinary promise often taken out of context: "whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you." Our call to bear fruit is accompanied by the privilege of prayer. Our intimacy with Christ grants us access to our Heavenly Father. 

Dear Church, today's text reveals God's intentional love for us. Let's embrace our chosen status and respond to the call to bear lasting fruit. May you live with a sense of purpose, bearing fruit that glorifies God and blesses those around you.