Can an organization be ineffective in thier mission and yet very effective in attracting members? Can a group lose the reason they exist and yet gain a following? Can something created to be “good” become bad?
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
As I write this I just listened to yet another “preacher” yesterday speak of the “mission” of his church. He even got his congregation to talk together and chime in. Somewhere in the midst of all the words about growing MORE numbers that are masked by those religious phrases like “outreach” and “share” someone actually said, “love” to which the preacher said, “yes, that too” and quickly moved on to others like, “tell us about our sin” which was MORE important apparently.
I don’t blame the preacher or the congregation as they are just following the religiousity they were taught by their fathers and mothers. But let me be clear, what was done in that organization I wrote about above is the standard religious christianty party line.
And Grace is So different! To remain in Him, to Be His branch:
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 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. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:9-12
If we want to Be a branch of The Vine the answer is above “LOVE EACH OTHER!” Just like He Loved us, “LOVE EACH OTHER!”
He didn’t Love to get more members or a bigger take in the plate or to cause fear so people would behave a certain way – He Just LOVED us!
BeGraceFull.com
