"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain". John 15:16
In this verse, Jesus was not talking about the election to salvation, but rather the election to service. We do not serve at our discretion. The Great Commission is like a draft call up, not a suggestion for our consideration.
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” We go because we are commanded to go. In fact, Christ’s command is much more than that. Jesus turns us into witnesses. He changes our nature by His Spirit within us. He did not tell us, “Witness!” He said, “Be witnesses!” It was a creative word. God said, “Let there be light,” and light broke in upon us. He chose us and then made us light bearers.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” Ephesians 2:10. These good works are to show “the exceeding riches of His grace” Ephesians 2:7. If we do not show the world the riches of His grace, it would be alien to our new nature in Christ. What the Holy Spirit has planted within us is the Spirit of witness. But we can become slack and let the light within us die down through neglect. Fruitless branches are purged by God.
Now we have a wonderful guarantee: when we go as He commands, He goes with us. Evangelism and witness are the way to be sure He is with you! The anointing and the Great Commission go together.
In this verse, Jesus was not talking about the election to salvation, but rather the election to service. We do not serve at our discretion. The Great Commission is like a draft call up, not a suggestion for our consideration.
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” We go because we are commanded to go. In fact, Christ’s command is much more than that. Jesus turns us into witnesses. He changes our nature by His Spirit within us. He did not tell us, “Witness!” He said, “Be witnesses!” It was a creative word. God said, “Let there be light,” and light broke in upon us. He chose us and then made us light bearers.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” Ephesians 2:10. These good works are to show “the exceeding riches of His grace” Ephesians 2:7. If we do not show the world the riches of His grace, it would be alien to our new nature in Christ. What the Holy Spirit has planted within us is the Spirit of witness. But we can become slack and let the light within us die down through neglect. Fruitless branches are purged by God.
Now we have a wonderful guarantee: when we go as He commands, He goes with us. Evangelism and witness are the way to be sure He is with you! The anointing and the Great Commission go together.
