It may be a rather corny title, but it fits with the words of John 15:16. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." Once we have decided to follow Jesus, we become disciples, too, so the words of John 16 are fitting for us as well as for His chosen Twelve.
I hope that someone out there may have made a commitment to follow Jesus, the God/Man who changed the world. As a follow-up to yesterday's blog, Chapter 15 of John seemed necessary. We think we have made a choice, but God had first chosen us! If we had all stood in a line-up and God had strolled along side of us and picked out who he wanted to be His disciple, I doubt that any one of us would have thought, "I just know He will choose me!"
I would have been the last one to think that! Maybe you, too! But He did choose us, if we had first desired to be chosen. But where to now? What comes next? Do I have to leave home? Be a missionary in China? Memorize the Bible?
The Study simplifies things for us: "Jesus made the first choice--to love us and to die for us, to invite us to live with Him forever". We made the next choice--to accept or reject his offer. Without his choice, we would have no choice!"
Once chosen, our job is to Love One Another. And this is a huge job. The original Disciples had a dickens of a time trying to remember to love one another. But little by little, with the help of the Holy Spirit who is there for us as well, they understood that loving one another meant accepting one another with our foibles and irritants, as well as our love and devotion. Even Judas, the traitor, who was the worst transgressor was in need of forgiveness. And forgiving one another is another form of love.
Our churches have foibles and disagreements, but down deep we know that our Lord has asked us to Love One Another. And with His help there is plenty of love and more as we ask for it. People are people, naturally imperfect, but ready to seek God's help for any change we must make.
I have often asked myself, "Why me? Why would Christ choose me? I have no special gift to use for Him?" I only know this: I need Him! I need the Holy Spirit! Now, His Spirit lives within me! And I live in Him. I am One with the Lord God Almighty! For this, I praise you and thank you, Lord Jesus, and for the many brothers and sisters in the Lord that are mine as well!
And I hope this merry band of people includes you, My Friend! The more the merrier!
Until another day.
Jo of MN
No comments:
Post a Comment