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I. ITS ORIGIN.

1. Negatively. "Ye have not chosen Me." This is true, both in regard to election unto salvation and election unto office. Christ no more chooses us because we have first chosen Him, than He loves us because we have first loved Him. He makes His universal offer of mercy; we close with it, and are elected. He says, "Whom shall I send?" We have to say, "Here am I; send me." "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve" was addressed to the chosen people.

2. Positively. The Divine choice which originates our discipleship —

(1) Is not arbitrary. Those are chosen for salvation who evince the qualifications for receiving salvation. "Chosen...through belief of the truth." In regard to office, the apostles were the choice men of their race, as is seen in their after careers. Christ chose for His work Peter and Paul, rather than Caiaphas or Gamaliel, because they were immeasurably better men. Appearances and circumstances go for nothing, as is seen in God's choice of David. So today Christ chooses with reference to fitness. There were more brilliant men at Oxford; but when God wanted a man for Africa He went to a factory and chose Livingstone.

2. May he frustrated. Judas was chosen, and the traitor had elements about him which would have made him a prince amongst the apostles. Election is not indelible in regard either to nations or individuals. Israel was chosen because of unique racial qualities, but was rejected because those qualities were abused. England has been chosen; may she be faithful. As for us, however distinguished the office we hold, let us not be high. minded, but fear. "Let him that thinketh he standeth," etc.

II. ITS VALIDATION. "Ordained you."

1. Designation for the work. This is a Divine prerogative. Sometimes it is voiced by the appointment of the Church. Sometimes, alas! not. No human authority, however august, can validate an appointment that has not been ratified in heaven. Let all Church officers note this. Often the clearest Divine designation is apparent where there has been no human sanction.

2. Qualification. Whom Christ ordains He qualifies. This may be independent of human qualifications, or it may include them. There are posts for which Christ ordains a man where they would be in the way. There are others where they are imperative. In the latter case He works in us the desire to amass learning, eloquence, etc., and sanctifies these and other gifts to the accomplishment of His purposes.

III. ITS WORKS.

1. "That ye should go and bring forth fruit" in two senses.

(1) In the graces of personal character; because these are often the means of successful evangelism, and without them a man in the highest office is but a "sounding brass," etc.

(2) In conversions to God. This is the grand outcome of all spiritual ministries.

2. "That your fruit should remain."(1) Of what value are the "fruits of the Spirit" unless permanent? Of what value is faith if tomorrow we are unbelieving? Of love if it alternates with hatred? Of joy if it is drowned in despondency? etc.

(2) Of what value to a Church are converts unless they "remain"? The curse of modern times is great ingatherings, followed by great failings away.

IV. ITS PRIVILEGE. Prayer —

1. Keeps alive our sense of the Divine choice, and maintains our position as chosen ones.

2. Augments our personal and official qualifications. "Without Me ye can do nothing." "I can do all things through Christ," etc.

3. Ensures abiding success in our work.

(J. W. Burn.)

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KJV: 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.

WEB: You didn't choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.