The Gospel from John 15:9-17 contains several important themes, but this time, let us focus on the striking verse, 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 verse stresses the divine plan and the call to faith and discipleship through Jesus Christ.
Scripture repeatedly teaches that the redemptive initiative lies with God. The primary choice is with Him, not with human beings. He extends life-giving grace to call us, and He asks us to respond empowered by His strengthening grace. When we submit to His call and His grace, we begin to bear truly good fruit. Along with this process of justification and sanctification, Christians also pray in a new way. We pray in submission to and in accord with the divine will as Jesus does. While we have our preferred outcomes, we acknowledge that God knows best. When we pray in such a humble spirit, the Father gives us far greater blessings than we can imagine.
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