Purpose and choice: fruit
It’s obvious that we must decide to follow Christ. We must choose to believe and obey. But in a real sense he chooses us for himself. This highlights the divine initiative. We do not choose what Christ will be for us. He determines what we are to be to him.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
John 15.16
To bear fruit means to be productive. God wants us to become like him. He works to produce his life in us. Also, he works in us to produce his life in others. He makes us participants in his mission.
That is why we find the word “go” here. It’s not only an internal work, but one in which he sends us out to offer others the same opportunity we have been given.
Highly successful people are admired in our society, and in the world. Entrepreneurs, scientists, inventors, and influencers are considered special people. Few people manage to enter this circle of successful figures. It is a restricted class.
But the fruit that God promises, he himself produces in us. The gifts and opportunities he gives are different for everyone, but he helps us to be successful within the possibilities he offers. In his Kingdom, everyone can achieve success.
God wants to produce fruit in us and through us. It’s his power that does it. What an exciting prospect!
This content is part of a lesson in the “Know God” series that we are preparing in English.
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