Rev. Johnson V.
27th June 2010

A thing of immense value is carefully selected. Nobody buys diamonds on a whim. It is only after careful selection and deliberation that someone will purchase something that is expensive and valuable. Similarly, even though it maybe contrary to how we perceive our worth, we were not created by accident. We are carefully chosen and selected by the Creator. God knew us, before we were born. He knows everything about us. Isn’t that a wonderful thought? Other people cannot determine our value, because He has already put a price tag on us and He thinks we are worth the costly price that was paid on the cross of Calvary.

The Bible states in John 15:16 (NIV) “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” Very often we think that we have made the decision to follow Christ. While it is true that by an act of our will, we chose to be aligned with Him, the reality is that He selected us and chose us first. We are primarily His responsibility. He has selected us with a condition, that He will never reject us. He will be involved in our lives, if only we will let Him.

God wants us to be fruitful in every aspect of our life. God is not our excuse to get away from the problem, instead He is our strength to get into the problem and come out victoriously. Only in Him are we truly fruitful, if we are aligned with His plan. He has chosen us to bear fruit to His glorious Name.

Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good. God will ensure everything turns into good, simply because we love Him. Nothing is wasted in God’s hands. We see that in nature. Every single part of a tree has a purpose and is useful for something. Similarly every aspect of our lives, every single experience we have been through, is useful for something. If we believe that, we will be thankful in everything. Whether the situation is good or bad, our hearts will rejoice in Him. The condition of our heart in less than perfect circumstances is a good indicator of the level of our faith. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God. We will have to choose to believe that He is good.

The story of Joseph in the Old Testament, is a good example of how God can turn circumstances around. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Nobody was able to help him. While Joseph had every reason to be bitter, he feared God and tried to be as righteous as he could be. As a result of his righteousness, he was put in prison. His life seemed a waste and standing on His principles only seemed to get him into deeper trouble. Joseph had to endure a long period of waiting, but finally God lifted him up and he became the prime minister of the land. But God was not done yet. Through some unusual circumstances, Joseph’s brothers came to seek his permission to buy a ration of food for their family during the famine. Joseph recognized them. His bitterness had turned into love by then and he embraced them. Sometimes, fear, prejudice, and misunderstanding can keep us from becoming all that God wants us to be. When Joseph’s brothers apologized, Joseph tells his brothers in Genesis chapter 45, “What you meant for bad, God turned into good.” What life intends for our destruction, God intends for our elevation – because we are chosen.