How does a person become a Christian? Some people would say that you become a Christian by making a decision to follow the teachings of Jesus. Others would say that you become a Christian by praying the “sinner’s prayer”, repenting of your sins and asking Jesus into your heart. Others would say that you become a Christian by baptism. Still others would say that you become a Christian by being born into a Christian family or Christian country.
But what did Jesus say? In John chapter 15 he made the extraordinary statement: “You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you to go and produce fruit, and your fruit should last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask from him in my name.” Whilst in one sense we can choose whether to be followers of Jesus or not, in another sense we become followers of Jesus when he chooses us.
Many followers of Jesus ask themselves the questions at one stage or another in their lives: “Why was I chosen to be so blessed by God? Why did God allow me to become a believer, when many other people around me are not believers?” There is no easy answer for such questions, but if the Most High God has chosen you and appointed you to produce fruit, who are you to refuse?