DAILY DEVOTIONAL: FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020
SCRIPTURE READING
Scripture: John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
This is our last devotional on John 15. Tonight we’ll look at verse 16, then stop.
First, Jesus starts by telling us what is not true. It is not true that His disciples chose Him. It is not true that they were the ones who made the decision to follow Him and be His disciples. Read how each man started following Jesus and you see that they didn’t choose Jesus. Jesus chose them and Jesus chooses us. If we believe in Jesus, it is not because we chose Him, but because He chose us. Our faith in Jesus is not something we ourselves decide to have. The Bible says our faith in Jesus is a gift from God.
Don’t ever forget this. Many people talk and talk and talk about how they chose and believed in and put their faith in Jesus. About how they made the decision to follow Jesus. Which avoids the main point.
The main point is that we did not choose Jesus. That’s what Jesus says here and it humbles us for Him to tell us that, doesn’t it?
We’re not as important as we think. Being humbled is good.
Second, Jesus doesn’t just say we did not choose Him, but He goes on and says that He chose us. Isn’t it wonderful to know that we have faith and believe in Jesus and follow Him because He chose us? Do you like being chosen for a team that’s going to play some soccer or baseball or football? Think of being chosen by Jesus for His team of Christians. How excellent that is!
First, Jesus tells His disciples that they did not chose Him. Second, Jesus tells His disciples that He is the One Who chose them.
Then third, Jesus tells His disciples that His purpose in choosing them was so that they would bear fruit.
Little children, ask Jesus to choose you. Little children, give Jesus fruit. Little children, love Jesus and abide in His love. Little children, obey Jesus. Little children, do these things because Jesus loves for you to bear Him fruit.
We know we have been chosen by Jesus because we bear Him much fruit.
Scripture: John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
QUESTIONS
- You can tell a Christian by His _ _ _ _ _?
- Jesus chooses boys and girls so they will bear Him _ _ _ _ _?
- God prunes us to we will bear even more _ _ _ _ _?
SONG OF THE WEEK
Fairest Lord Jesus
Fairest Lord Jesus! Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son!
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s Glory, Joy, and Crown!
Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight
And all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels heaven can boast.
Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Father, grant me to live as one set apart and chosen by You, walking in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing You in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and ever increasing in the knowledge of God, my whole life a testimony to Your grace at work in me. Amen.
SCRIPTURE MEMORY THIS WEEK
John 15:9-10 (KJV)
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
