You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15: 16, NIV.
Holy Father, we are truly grateful that You chose us. Please strengthen us as we study You Word, and help us to be faithful to You until the end. In the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
As we begin this very brief devotional, there are four factors that are very obvious: 1) Jesus chose us. 2) He appointed us to go and bear fruit that will last. 3) The Father will grant us the desires of our hearts, if we ask for them in Jesus’ name. 4) Jesus commands us to love one another.
Jesus chose us. I say “Amen” to that! It had to be love that would make the Savior look at a world in rebellion, knowing that when He came to this earth we would reject Him, vilify Him and finally crucify Him, and still chose us. About a month ago when I spoke on adoption, I highlighted the fact that adopted children are chosen. Unlike biological children, parents do have a choice when adopting a child. That makes the relationship between adopted parents and children, special. We too have been adopted into the family of God. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8: 15).
He appointed us to go and bear fruit that will last. “Again Jesus said, ‘ “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ‘ And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20: 21, 22). Note that Jesus did not merely send His disciples to bear fruit, but fruit that would last. Usually, whenever the word fruit shows up in Scripture, the question is usually asked whether it is the fruit of the Spirit, or, fruit, as in “souls.” I am not quite sure, what kind of fruit is being referred to here. What I am convinced of, is that whatever fruit is being referred to, it is only possible through the help of the Holy Spirit! Therefore, Jesus equipped His disciples with the Holy Spirit, and sent them out. With the help of the Holy Spirit souls (fruit) are won to the kingdom. It is the Holy Spirit that brings His fruit as He comes to live in us (Galatians 5: 22, 23; 2: 20).
The Father will grant us the desires of our hearts, if we ask for them in Jesus’ name. More or less a year ago, I wrote a devotional about praying in Jesus’ name. It is so much more than just ending our prayers with the words, “in the name of Jesus.” When we ask for something “in the name of Jesus,” we are actually asking for something that will bring glory to His name! Therefore, the Father will gladly answer such a prayer, and grant us whatever we ask Him for, in the name of His Son! This brings us to our last point of consideration:
Jesus commands us to love one another. “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment” (1 John 3: 23). God is love. His Son became flesh and lived this love before those who dwell on earth, that they might get a glimpse of the Father. Now, He commands His followers to love one another. May God help us to be not only hearers, but doers of His Word!
Have a Happy Sabbath!