The Bible in our opening scripture says, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit..." (John 15:16). Choosing you is God's will. Bearing fruit for Him is His purpose. Every one of us must bear fruit. God does not choose a man for decoration. He chooses a man for impact. You know the story of Peter? When Jesus met Peter, Peter said, I am a sinful man, Lord. I don't deserve You. The Bible says, "...he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8). Many times when God chooses a man, he is quick to think of condemnation. He is quick to remember his sins. But Jesus did not come to condemn him. The Bible says, "...God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17).
But what was Jesus' response to Peter? Jesus said to him, "...Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men" (Luke 5:10). In other words, Jesus said this is the purpose why I came to you. From now on you will catch men. You have been a businessman. You have been catching fish. Now you will catch men. Meaning Peter was still in the catching business. He did not change his business. He only changed the purpose of his business-the direction. You are catching fish, but now there is a new direction: you will catch men. God's purpose for your life is fruitfulness.
Nothing can help a man God has not helped. Don't waste your life. Whatever you are studying, whatever career you are building, or whatever craft you practice will only find its true meaning when God breathes on it. Use your education, your skills, and your daily work to serve His mission. Be in your school for Jesus; be in your workplace for God.
Look at His plan for your life again. He said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit…" (John 15:16). He has called and ordained you specifically to bring forth fruit. Just as He told Peter he would catch men, and quickly ordained him for soul winning, He has ordained you for soul winning. The Lord Himself commanded "…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Soul winning is God's purpose for your life. Do not reduce your life to money, career, or status. Let everything you do point back to God's purpose. Let your education serve the Gospel. Let your business serve the Gospel. Let your influence serve the Gospel. Decide today that you will not just be chosen-you will be fruitful. Ask God for direction. Yield to His call. And make your life count by bringing others to Him.