Who are you from God's perspective? #19

Well let's jump right in and see another way God sees us this morning!



John 15:16



16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.



This verse can be confusing because folks tend to interpret it in different ways. Some believe that this verse means God chooses who will be saved and who will not. I disagree. I believe all have the opportunity to ask Jesus into their lives through the Holy Spirit. This verse is talking to all folks who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and thus He has chosen us to bear fruit! In reality none of would choose God on our own, we are to selfish. God has choosen all of us and I base that on this verse:



2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.



God does not want anyone going to hell and gives everyone a chance to receive Jesus! It is our choice to follow or deny God!



Now in the John verse we see God sees us doing something: bearing fruit. Notice the language used "go and bear". I don't see anything about if you feel like it, it is a command. "Go" is translated as "as you are going". So it is to be a daily event as you are doing your life. What is bearing fruit? Serving Jesus by loving God, loving others, praying, sharing the gospel, and meeting needs. So are you obeying this command?



So this morning we see we are chosen by God and we are to bear fruit! That is how God sees us!



Tom