"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, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you”. John 15:16.
In the Jewish culture, one is at liberty to choose his teacher. However, Jesus clearly stated here, that it was He who chose us.
Our becoming born again is because someone somewhere prayed for us. If we choose not to give that which we have been freely given, we are wicked and self-centred. Jesus chose us so we can bear fruit and that our fruit should remain. We were ordained for a particular purpose, anything outside that is vain.
"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread... But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”. (Matthew 6:9-10, 33)
Jesus gave them a pattern and a prayer focus. God came first and "us" (the body of believers) came second not I. This means that God comes first; He supersedes every other thing/desire. Every time your interest and God’s interest collides, God should come first. In God’s interest, the interest of “us” is met. You cannot put God’s interest above yours and lose. You cannot be a true seeker of God and not be concerned about the salvation of those who are not saved around you. The more you seek God, the more you will love men and ensure they are saved. King Solomon fulfilled Matt. 6:33 because his heart was after God and not after things. We are to seek God first, we are not told what to seek next. We must be dead to self. Often the greatest hindrance to fulfilling God's purpose is self. I, ME, MYSELF.
The purpose of the branch is to bear fruit, and that purpose is found in the mandate given to us. "...and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation". 2nd Corinthians 5:18.
The ministry of reconciliation has been given to us, thus we have to go and reap in the harvest of souls. Since we have been given the word of reconciliation, our purpose is to see to it that we bear fruit. We are connected to the Vine and the branch ought to bear fruit from and for the Vine. The branch remains relevant when it is performing the purpose for its existence.
We must come to that point where everything about us is translating to the desire of God, that men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. This is the reason Jesus has not come, He doesn’t want anyone to perish. If all we are doing does not translate to souls been won for God’s Kingdom, it is vanity. We must make this our priority.
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”. 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
In every journey/project, the takeoff point must be prayer. If you want men rescued, you have to begin in the place of prayer. Prayer is the first and major action every true believer in Christ should take. A proof that you have prayed enough is you will have direction on what to do. Our prayers create a conducive atmosphere for the fulfillment of God's desires. Every time you see an unbeliever, your desire should be that he is saved. If we are really interceding for the lost, we will not be stuck. *You are safe and secure in the centre of God’s will*. Let us desist from being selfish and self-centred and upgrade our lives by putting God’s desire first.
Prayer
I have ears and I hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
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