I probably shouldn’t post this because I really don’t like to be critical, but a few days ago a brief news report juxtaposed with my reading from John 15 got my attention.

A particular denomination wrapped up its annual (or something) meeting by clarifying positions on a few eschatological issues. (Eschatology is the study of “last things” like the Second Coming.) There are a lot of variations of such teaching revolving around the timing and nature of certain events. I don’t want to get into the details of this group’s positions: they are widely but not universally held. That is, there are plenty of Bible-believing, Jesus-loving people who would have different positions.

That’s why some verses from John 15 caught my eye:

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. (John 15.8, LSB)

“Bear much fruit” and so prove to be my disciples. Not “have all your doctrinal positions accurately defined.”

Here are some more…

¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love…¹²  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you…¹⁴  You are my friends if you do what I command…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. ¹⁷  This is my command: Love each other. (John 15.10 – 17, NIV)

There are a lot of things more important than how we define our eschatology.

• Obedience, verses 10, 14
• Loving each other (even those who might not share your particulars on escatology!), verses 12, 17
• Bearing fruit, verse 16 (and 8 quoted earlier)

As a well-known pastor said once, “A focus on end times is a distraction.”

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1.6 – 8, NIV)