When God offers us an opportunity to serve Him, the choice is ours. That choice is not a one-time decision. We must maintain that choice and persevere to the end (Matthew 24:13). The book of Revelation describes the end of this age when a great "beast"-a political and economic union of ten "kings"-will resist the rule of Jesus Christ at his return. These rulers will be the most influential and popular leaders in the entire world at that time. "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful" (Revelation 17:12-14). Those who are with Christ are not only called and chosen but they are also faithful. Being "called" and "chosen" is not the end of the story. "For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: 'A dog returns to his own vomit,' and, 'a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire'" (2 Peter 2:20-22). Salvation isn't automatic. We must remain faithful to our calling to be saved.
Jesus compares Himself to a vine and His true followers to the branches. He says, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:4, 5). He warns, "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned" (verse 6).
Grow to be like Christ
Those who remain faithful will grow to be like Jesus Christ spiritually. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (verse 8). He adds, "Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit" (verse 2). God remains active in the lives of those He has chosen for salvation. He expects them to remain faithful to their commitment to Him and produce spiritual fruit in their lives. He even "prunes" them. He allows trials to develop that test and expose their weaknesses. It forces them to continue making choices to obey God-sometimes under very difficult circumstances.
What fruit does God expect the authentic disciples of Jesus Christ to manifest in their lives? He expects them to obey His commandments (1 John 2:3-6). He expects them to set an example in "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22, 23, NIV). He expects them to exhibit the basic characteristics of his own divine nature-the very character of God.
The apostle Peter sums it up so well. ". . . To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
"Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1-11, NIV).
God has made it abundantly clear what His authentic disciples are. They are called to surrender their wills to God�to repent and receive God's Holy Spirit. Because they choose to allow God's Spirit to guide both their hearts and their conduct they are chosen for salvation�to have a part in His eternal kingdom. They prove their faithfulness by enduring trials and obstacles as evidence of their continued commitment to obey God. As truly converted people they are "the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27) and "the church of the living God" (1 Timothy 3:15).
