I am chosen by God to bear fruit.

Because I believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am chosen by God to bear fruit. Yesterday we saw that, as believers, we are chosen by God. That is an amazing and humbling thought. Why did God choose us? Scripture tells us that God created us to glorify and commune with Him. The way we glorify God is through obedience and displaying the knowledge of Christ to others. As we mature as believers, we are to grow more and more like Jesus so we can act with compassion and love towards others. Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Telling others is an act of obedience and Jesus calls it bearing good fruit. 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. Sharing the good news of Jesus with others is doing God’s work and His work will always bear fruit. Paul talked about the good fruit and says good fruit is the result of knowing Jesus. Romans 7:4 “So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Jesus said that bearing good fruit is what we are to do, and we must use His power to accomplish it. John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

What about you? Are you a believer that is experiencing good fruit in Jesus? If not, are you trying to accomplish His work in our own power? Jesus says “apart from Him we can do nothing.” Good work for Jesus is what we are made to do but only in and through the power of Christ indwelling us. Then the work brings glory to God and not us! God desires that we live fruit-filled lives that bring glory to Him. He wants us in communion with Him and working to spread the good news of Christ to a hurting world.