Chosen for Fruit
“In the end we are believers because we are a chosen people. Our roots precede our ‘decision for Christ’ and go back to God’s eternal choice. This is true for every believer. Together we make up a chosen people.”
“He chose us that we might bear fruit. We need to be aware, therefore, of hiding behind our sense of insignificance or we might miss the destiny God has for us. Part of the message of restoration is the recovery of the sense of purpose for every believer.”
“God is very interested in personal identity.”
“Ultimately, we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ in order that each one may be judged by what he has done in the body… Do not suppose that this is only for the unbeliever.”
“God had bestowed on [Paul] his grace and he was determined that grace would not be in vain (1 Cor 15:10). He has given us his grace, too. He has called us by name and given us identity.”
“Part of the message of restoration is to bring back the reality of accountability and the wonder of working for the purpose of gathering fruit unto eternal life.”
Conclusion – God’s sovereign choice secures and defines us individually and is aimed at the purpose of crafting a people for Himself. This simultaneously affirms and subverts our individuality, giving us real purpose in walking out our life in God’s purposes.