CHOSEN FOR A PURPOSE
27th Apr 2016
There are no such things as “pew fillers” in the Kingdom of God. Many believers feel they have no real purpose in their Christian lives other than sitting in Church on Sundays and listening to “another sermon.”
Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last.” (John 15:16) God has a special purpose for everyone of His children. Not all are called to leadership, to preaching or missionary work, but we are all called to “bear fruit.”
So how do we go about fulfilling our calling? We do it by following the example of Jesus who said, “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19) And also said, “The Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (John 12:49-50)
So practically we need to be sensitive to God’s prompting, so that we can see what He is wanting to do, and hear what He is wanting to say. This is a way of life not some role in the life of the Church.
Always remember your assignment from God, which will “bear fruit that will last”, is unique. It is easy to think that your words and deeds don’t count. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Jesus also said Mark 9:41, “I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.”
I heard of a follower of Jesus, who when asked how he went about fulfilling the destiny God has given to him, replied, “I pray and I obey!”
by Charles Sibthorpe
