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.
John 15:16
Here Jesus shifts from the immediacy of friendship to the deliberate act of choosing. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” reverses typical social dynamics: in the world, people seek and choose; in God’s kingdom, God initiates. The commission to “go and bring forth fruit” aligns with Old Testament images of Israel’s vocation to bear fruit in obedience, but now in the Spirit’s power, the church is invited to produce enduring fruit—fruit that remains. The qualifier “that your fruit should remain” hints at the lasting impact of a life conformed to Jesus, a fruit that outlives the moment and testifies to God’s work through the believer. The latter clause—“that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you”— ties prayer to the authentic mission: requests aligned with Jesus’ mission and character receive divine backing.
This verse emphasizes divine initiative in election and mission. God chooses people for partnership in his redemptive work, turning recipients into agents who bear lasting fruit. It also anchors prayer in the person and work of Jesus; prayers offered in his name reflect alignment with his will and authority. The phrase “in my name” signals a missionary identity fused with Jesus’ authority, not personal ambition. Theologically, it affirms both the security of divine calling and the accountability of stewardship: fruit that remains signals genuine transformation and effectiveness in God’s kingdom.
For today’s believers, this verse invites you to consider your life’s “fruit.” Are your daily choices and priorities bearing lasting, Godward impact—character, generosity, reconciliation, evangelism, discipleship? If you feel stuck, remember the source is not your own effort but being chosen by Christ and living out his mission. Prayer becomes mission-energized: ask for opportunities to serve, courage to share hope, and wisdom to steward resources for eternal outcomes. Reflect on your vocation, family life, workplace, and community involvement—where can you “go and bear fruit” that endures?
Cross-References: Matthew 28:18–20; John 6:27; John 12:24; Galatians 5:22–23; Colossians 1:10