“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 ask of the father in my name, he may give it you”. – John 15:16
The purpose of planting an economic trees is for it to bear fruits and be viable. The above scriptures establishes that there is a correlation between fruitfulness in the kingdom and answered prayers. Parents especially fathers tends to love the fruitful and successful children more. Very fruitful trees are prune regularly to ensure more production. The husbandman takes proper care of the very fruitful vines in the vineyard to ensure that they are healthy to produce. In the same vein the Almighty God marks out those thatare fruitful in winning soul to the kingdom and ensure that they are healthy to produce. Jesus is the true vine, and God the father is the husbandman. We are the branches in the vine. John 15:5(KJV) I am the vine, and ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”. The secret of fruitfulness is to abide in Christ, while the secret to answered prayers lies in fruitfulness. Christ said Ï am the true vine, and my father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth much fruit”. – John 15:1-2(KJV). It is when we abide in Christ and his word abide in us that we are guaranteed of answers to our prayers – John 15:7(KJV). One of the keys to our abiding in Christ is to keep his commandment and abide in his Love – John 15:10(KJV). When we are engross in the service of God we are guaranteed of a sickness free life, fruitfulness and longevity – Exodus 23:25-26(KJV). It is no wonder Isaiah 61:3b (KJV) says “that they be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified” The blessedness of soul winning is further stated in Isaiah 61: 6-7(KJV) “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourself. For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them”.
Great promises abound in the scriptures for those engaged in the expansion of the Kingdom of God. We must work while it is day, for the night comes when no man can work. It is God himself that pays the wages of a soul winner. That is why Jesus said in Matt.6:33(KJV) “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. When you make soul winning your priority God makes you a priority to bless and protect.
Prayer: Father release your fire for evangelism into my bones. In Jesus Name.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo