It makes you feel good inside when you realize Jesus chose you. Ephesians 1:4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.[1] For the Lord to choose us says something about the Lord’s mercy and grace. If there is one team to be on, it is the Lord’s. You may not have been the first choice in school or other life activities, but God is not like the world. Not a moment goes by that the Lord is not thinking about you and your life.
Like any parent, our Lord wants the best for us, which means bearing fruit. John 15:16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. [2] Our Heavenly Father chose to love us, die for us, and now invites us to be Kingdom builders.
Jesus Chose You to Bear Fruit
My father-in-law loved caring for his apple orchard and making it fruitful. Our Heavenly Father cares for us more deeply and wants us to be fruitful. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he compares the fruit of our sinful nature with the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit. We can choose a fruitful path or a fruitless way. Galatians 5:19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! [3]
The Likeness of Jesus
We bear fruit as the Spirit enables us to grow in our new nature. When we bear the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit, we reflect the likeness of Jesus. As we strive to bear much fruit, it means becoming more and more like our Lord and Savior. When we become more like Jesus, it becomes central to our life’s activities and plan and purpose for this lifetime. I fulfill God’s purpose for me when I become more like Him. This means what I do with my life reflects Jesus.
How is the Lord calling you today to take a step of faith to fill your life with Him? To learn how Jesus chose you, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/live-by-the-spirit
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.