“I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit,” John 15:16-17
Today will focus on the verse above. Jesus revealed the purpose behind your “chosen-ness.” We all have a “go appointment.” How it looks for each of us will be different. We will go, where we will go, and what we’ll take with us will vary. The one thing we do have in common as Christ-followers is that we are appointed to go. The fruit we will bear in this appointment.
Proverbs 11:30 says this: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.” And Psalm 1:3 says, ” They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Healthy branches always stay firmly attached to the tree trunk as their source of nourishment, stability, and life. They stay connected as they grow out into the atmosphere around them, producing their fruit. Trees change the atmosphere in this world. They produce oxygen for humans and animals. Then we breathe out a waste gas called carbon dioxide. The leaves on the tree absorb this gas—the process of photosynthesis. The harmful waste is turned back into oxygen.
With this tree scenario, this is what we are to do. We are the branches connected to the trunk, the vine, Jesus. Our arms are to go out where we bear fruit and change the world around us that has been tainted by sin. God sure does know how to speak to us.
Read the following scripture. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Galatians 1: 13-16, 1 Timothy 1:12-17. What helps us to show up for our “go appointment”? What do these verses have to say to those who would be hindered from pursuing their “go appointment” by the sins and mistakes of the past?
Our “go appointment” is enduring fruitfulness. Fruit identifies the plant (Matthew 7:16). It enables the plant to multiply (Genesis 1:11-12). It nourishes (Genesis 1:29). It brings joy and delight (Deuteronomy 8:7-8). How can our lives produce these values?
Please read the following verses about how we can be fruit-bearing abiders. Isaiah 55:10-13, Romans 1:13, Romans 7:14, Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 1:11, Colossians 1:9-10, Hebrews 13:15, and James 3:18.
Like any fruit-bearing tree, it takes time. Stay close to God and keep abiding and taking His lead.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your great plans. I am so grateful for how you word illustrations to us so we can understand your ways. I ask that you help us to stay connected to you so we can bear your fruit.
In Jesus Name
Amen
