JOHN 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last".
God, in His infinite wisdom, chose some men and hired them to go to work in His vineyard. Praise be to God and count yourself blessed for His divine favour on you to be part of this great selection. This generous God hired probably poor men to work, in kindness to them, to save them from idleness and poverty and pay them for working for themselves.
Again, the labourers were hired to do labour in the Landowner's vineyard. The question is, are we really working in the vineyard diligently? In fact, the church is God's vineyard. It is of His planting, watering and fencing and the fruit of it must be to His honour and praise.
Also,we are all called upon to be labourers in this vineyard. The work of religion is vineyard work which includes: pruning, dressing, digging, watering, fencing, weeding and caring. In this work we must not be slothful, not loiterers, but labourers, working and working out our own salvation.
Some were hired as early as 6:00am, some at 9:00am and others at 12:00 noon, yet, they were paid the same wages, a penny. Some had come to the vineyard several decades ago, some about a decade ago, others about five years or less, but at the end, the same reward. Majority of labourers of today, live their lives as if there is nothing at stake. Remember, you are not of yourself, you were bought of a price.
2 Corinthians 5:10 states, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
Likewise, Ezekiel is directed what to charge the shepherds with, in God's name, as the ground of God's controversy with them; for it is not a causeless quarrel. Two things embedded in the charge include: That all their (shepherds) care was to advance and enrich themselves and to make themselves great. Their business was to take care of those that were committed to their charge. Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? They make sure of the profits of their places; they did eat the fat and the cream, for he that feeds a flock eats of the milk of it 1Cor.9:7. They are more inquisitive about the benefits than about the office, what money is to be got than what good to be done.
Again, they took no care for the benefit and welfare of those that were committed to their charge: You feed not the flock. People are of the view that shepherding is the responsibility of only the clergy, catechists, stewards, caretakers and evangelists, but everyone who in one way or the other, has a leadership role in the church of God.
1 Peter 5:3-4 says, "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be!; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."
Brethren, God wants us to make amendment and to reconcile us to Himself, that is why He is cautioning us. Tomorrow would be too late for you. REPENT NOW AND COME TO JESUS CHRIST FOR FORGIVENESS! Shalom, peace! God bless you.
