Rev. Johnson V.
11th July 2010

In this second study on being chosen by God, we will look at the latter part of 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.” We are chosen by God to go forth.

When the Israelites came out of Egypt, God rained down manna and quail near them, so they could gather it and eat. But when the Israelites came to the promised land, God told them to start working the ground so that it may produce what they need and the manna stopped. Similarly, in our walk with God, He will initially meet our needs in such a way so as to build our faith. Eventually he expects us to mature to a level where we sow and wait in expectation and trust for the fruit to appear. This is when we begin to go forth and bear fruit. We are not called to bear fruit in comfortable surroundings but also in areas that we are uncomfortable with, and in enemy zones.

There are certain things that could cause unfruitfulness in us. The Bible clearly states that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is an unpardonable sin (Mark 3:28 – 30). God could use David even though he committed adultery and murder. God used Abraham even though he was a liar. But God could not use Absalom as he had bitterness in his heart.  We must be careful to avoid things that cause unfruitfulness in us – unbelief, bitterness, gossip, treating Calvary with contempt (Hebrews 10:29) etc as it will destroy us.

Where and how does God send us?

• In John 17:15, our Lord Jesus prays for His disciples asking God not to take them from the world, but to keep them from evil. We must never become so spiritual that we are of no earthly use. In the same way, we must never become so earthly that we are of no spiritual use. A tree is planted in mud, not to become mud, but rather to use the riches of the mud and to produce its fruit. In the same way, we are called to use the resources of the earth, to produce fruits that are worthy of our calling as we are planted in God and His Word. We are not called to produce sin but righteousness.
• God sends us as sheep among wolves (Mathew 7:15). Sheep always move together as a flock, rarely will a sheep be on its own because it knows the dangers involved. Wolves will never attack a flock of sheep, rather it will separate a single sheep from the flock and only then attack it. The Church is described as the flock. As long as the church stays together as a flock, the enemy will not be able to devour any of us.
• God sends us as light in the darkness (Mathew 5:14). Wherever there is light there is no darkness. Darkness flees from light. We are called to remain as light in the world. See Ephesians 5:8 – 13 and John 1:5.
• We are called to be the salt of the earth (Mathew 5:13 and Mark 9:50). Salt adds to the taste while bitterness destroys a dish.  When making chapatti’s, we don’t mix 200grams of Atta with 200grams of salt. Only a pinch of salt is required in 200 grams of Atta. Also after the salt is mixed in it, you cannot separate the salt from the rest of the dough or the chapatti. In the same way, God needs only a little bit to be mixed in with the rest of the world. Also we will be integrated in the world. We don’t need to be big or many in number in order to make a difference in the world. What we need is a spiritual change from our old selves.
• We are called to be ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Countries stand behind their Ambassador in order to fulfill what the Ambassador has promised on its behalf. In the same way, as ambassadors of Christ what we bind on earth will be bound in heaven and what we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
• We are called to be kings and priests unto His Glory. A king speak with authority and dispenses justice to the people. The king ministers unto people. Whereas a priest takes the offerings brought by the people and ministers to God. Like the two sides of the same coin, we must serve our God in the same capacity.