Prayer: "What, Lord, with you have me do to further your kingdom on earth? I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen."
John 15: 16-17
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
“And God saw that it was good.” These words from the creation story (Gen. 1) are slightly altered in Genesis 1, verse 31: “And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” It became very good after the creation of man and woman, because now man and woman can go and bear the fruit of love that God desires for the earth.
Jesus explains, “I and the Father are One,” (John 10:30) referring to his words when the Pharisees asked him who he was: “Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58) We, as creations that came later in the creation story, could not possibly have chosen God, but God has invited us to participate with Him in bearing fruit. The fact that God is on our minds and in our hearts serves as an invitation to us to be in daily and constant prayer (2 Thessalonians 1:3) with Him. Through this action the fruit that we are asked to bear, will last.
We have the opportunity to share the fruits of the Spirit with others so that they too might go and bear fruit. In this way we can see the majesty of God’s creation of the world and our place in it. God created the trees and the birds and the fish and the animals and made it so that they would replenish themselves. And God saw that it was good. In the same way He planted the fruits of his goodness in us so that we may replenish it in others, and while being in constant prayer with Him, he will replenish it in us. Very simply, love each other.
Have you ever driven down the road on a nice sunny day, and noticed the trees gently swaying in the wind? They seem to be smiling because they are part of God’s creation. They seem to be happy to be swaying, even dancing with each other. Bathed in the glory of God’s sunlight, the trees convey a message to the rest of creation, including us, that God is with us and we are with Him. The trees bear fruit for others in creation, and they seem to exude happiness in so doing. And God saw that it was good.
It is our responsibility to love each other, even in the face of troubles; to joyfully bear fruit, because God chose us to do this on earth. And God saw that it was very good!
As you consider the following questions, I suggest you listen to this RIGHT HERE to feel how deeply God moves within you. May you always be a blessing to others in all you do!
Questions for reflection:
Have you seen others bearing fruit, and can you identify it as such? Who are they?
God will place you in situations to love others. How will you prepare yourself to show his love in those times?