DAWS

DAWS

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. – John 15:16

John 5:24 I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

John 1:12 But to all who have received him, those who believe in his name, he has given the right to become God’s children.

A Sudden Storm on Schroon Lake

On the afternoon of June 18, 1956, ten people were riding in a powerboat on Schroon Lake when a sudden wave slammed into the vessel, throwing two passengers into the water: a young girl and Dawson Trotman. Dawson kept the girl above the surface long enough for rescuers to reach her. He did not survive. Later, Time Magazine published his obituary with a caption beneath his photograph that read, “Always holding someone up.”

The Father called Dawson home at the moment He had appointed in eternity past. By then, Dawson had already spent three decades in Christian ministry. He was the founder of the Navigators, a ministry devoted to discipleship and Scripture memory. Yet his life did not begin in that direction.

From Rebellion to Rebirth

His father was an atheistic cowboy who eventually settled in Arizona, and Dawson seemed headed down the same barren path until the Father intervened. After being arrested for driving under the influence, Dawson was confronted by a police officer who asked, “Do you like this kind of life?”

Trotman answered, “Sir, I hate it.” Three hours later, sober and deeply unsettled, he resolved to change. The officer returned his keys, and Dawson began moving toward a very different future.

Before long, he found himself attending church and memorizing Scripture. One of the first verses he learned was John 5:24: “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life.” As he reflected on those words, Dawson realized that he did not possess the eternal life described in that verse. He prayed, “O God, whatever that means, I want to have it.”

Then another verse came powerfully to mind: John 1:12: “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” In that moment, Dawson responded with simple faith: “Whatever it means to receive Jesus, I do it right now.”

Born to Reproduce

His life changed dramatically. From that point on, he immersed himself in the Word of God, memorizing Scripture as he went. He later began discipling a sailor named Les Spencer, teaching him how to follow Christ faithfully. When another sailor noticed the transformation in Spencer’s life and asked what had made the difference, Spencer brought him to Dawson and asked Dawson to teach him as well. Instead, Dawson replied, “You teach him!” That simple exchange became the beginning of the Navigators in 1933.

Before long, Spencer and his fellow sailor were teaching 125 men aboard the USS West Virginia. Those men then taught others on additional ships. Tragically, several of those ships would later be lost at Pearl Harbor.

At the heart of Dawson’s ministry was a deep commitment to the words of Christ. One passage especially captured that calling: John 15:16: “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”

Dawson Trotman was born, then reborn, to reproduce spiritual life in others.

REFLECT & PRAY

Dawson Trotman concludes, “Soul winners are not soul winners because of what they know, but because of Who they know, and how well they know Him, and how much they long for others to know Him.”

Father, thank You for choosing us as Your children. Thank You for inviting us into the work of redemption. Please empower us to go and bear lasting fruit.

INSIGHT

Friendship With Christ

Pause for a moment and consider the magnitude of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done. In John 15:15: “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me,” Jesus reveals a truth that is both deeply personal and profoundly astonishing.

This is not a small adjustment in language. The Lord Jesus Christ does not merely allow His followers to serve Him from a distance; He draws them near and calls them friends. Even more remarkably, this friendship begins with Him. It is His initiative, His declaration, and His gift. The Son of God has chosen to bring believers into closeness with Himself.

Friendship With Christ Has Purpose

This friendship is not merely comforting; it is also purposeful. Jesus calls His friends into a life of fruitfulness. To understand that calling, it is necessary to understand the heart of the Father. The Scriptures consistently show that the Father is engaged in the work of redemption. He desires that people come to Him and receive eternal life. His invitation is generous, urgent, and open to all.

Revelation 22:17: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who hears this say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.”

Through that invitation, believers are both recipients of grace and active participants in the Father’s redemptive plan. Jesus has commissioned His followers to go and produce lasting fruit, which encompasses lives changed by the gospel, people who hear the message, believe in Christ, and enter eternal fellowship with the Father.

William Barclay expressed this rhythm clearly, “Jesus chose us, first to come to Him, and then to go out to the world. And that must be the daily pattern and rhythm of our lives.” A relationship with Christ naturally results in joining with Him. Being in communion with Him leads to engaging in His mission.

Fruitfulness Brings Honor To The Father

This calling to bear fruit is not incidental. It brings honor to God Himself. John 15:8: “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

Spiritual fruit not only signifies internal growth but also visibly demonstrates a life that honors the Father.

Abiding Is The Secret Of Fruitfulness

The Lord Jesus Christ explains the source of that fruitfulness in John 15:1-5:

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

The essence of spiritual productivity is rooted in our abiding connection with Christ. True fruitfulness does not stem from personal efforts, religious activities, or inherent talents; rather, it flourishes exclusively through one’s relationship with Him. Christ serves as the vine, while believers function as the branches. Just as branches derive their vitality from the vine, believers rely solely on Christ for strength, nourishment, and the ability to bear fruit.

To abide in Christ means to maintain a close, dependent relationship with Him, fostering continual fellowship. It is simple, but it is essential. As believers remain united with Him, they allow His life to flow through them, leading to genuine spiritual fruitfulness.

Friends, Not Slaves

The Lord Jesus Christ emphasizes that His followers are not mere slaves blindly following orders. In the ancient world, slaves were seen merely as tools for others’ use. However, Jesus offers a radically different perspective for His followers. He shares the Father’s heart with them and reveals God’s purposes, raising their relationship by calling them friends. This invitation shows that believers are not distant workers in God’s mission; instead, they are valued partners with Christ in guiding others to the Father.

Barclay captured the seriousness of this privilege when he wrote, “The tremendous choice laid before us is that we can accept or refuse partnership with Christ in the work of leading the world to God.”

The Honor Of Partnership With Christ

Being called a friend of Christ is an exceptional honor, and being invited to collaborate in His redemptive mission is a remarkable opportunity. These two aspects are inherently connected: a genuine friendship with Christ fosters a fruitful partnership in His work. Both dimensions thrive through a deep commitment to abiding in Him and embracing the journey of discipleship.

Living As True Disciples

A life devoted to Christ transcends mere association; it embodies a deep relationship that demands consistent devotion. To embrace discipleship, children of the King must cultivate a teachable spirit, allowing Scripture to shape their thoughts and character while remaining anchored in Christ’s love. This journey entails surrender and personal growth, marked by continual spiritual formation through His Word, the pursuit of spiritual maturity, and a commitment to obedience. Such a calling requires more than good intentions; it demands genuine effort, discipline, and a fervent desire to deepen understanding and wisdom.

As 2 Timothy 2:15 states, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” Paul portrays the Christian walk as diligent rather than passive, emphasizing wholehearted effort and devotion to God’s purposes.

As children of the King, complacency has no place in our spiritual lives. Engaging with God’s Word, adhering to its principles, and sharing it accurately demand intentionality, discipline, and perseverance. This is not an optional pursuit reserved for a few. It is the calling of every disciple striving to live honorably before God.

Bearing Fruit That Endures

Inevitably, we will feel distracted or spiritually stagnant, struggling to maintain consistent obedience. In these moments, despair is not the answer; instead, we must renew our reliance on Christ. When our shortcomings and weaknesses surface, the appropriate response is to maintain an abiding connection with Him. True fruitfulness does not stem from self-reliance but from ongoing fellowship with the One who imparts life and strength.

As disciples, our ultimate goal is to emulate the Lord Jesus Christ. He seeks enduring fruit, character, obedience, service, and influence that honors the Father. Such fruit is cultivated in a heart dedicated to excellence, fueled by a desire for wisdom, and nurtured through a deepening relationship with God.

Dawson Trotman Shows Us the Way

Dawson Trotman’s life exemplifies the transformative power of the gospel and the multiplying impact of intentional discipleship. He did not simply experience conversion; he dedicated himself to guiding others in their journey to know Christ, follow Him, and mentor others in doing the same. His legacy serves as a powerful reminder that enduring spiritual fruit often originates from one individual who is fully surrendered to God, coupled with another person willing to invest in their growth.

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