Who runs the show?
5“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
If we are to bear fruit we must see the manure of each moment as the growing opportunity from above creating the Love in us that Christ had to place Him on the cross and that God has for us no matter what we do or have done! Without the realization of this we will forever be on the hamster wheel of judgmental condemnation toward all those around us.
It is not now or ever our works that produce fruit – it is His Love shining through us. This doesn’t happen because of what we do but because of what He did and the change that it makes as we realize it.
So there is Joe Christian just walked down an aisle and said some words on a card and now he “must do” something for God? – This isn’t the freedom of Christ – this is the ignorance or religion!
What needs to happen?
New Joe Christian needs to be made aware of His Great Love for him! New Joe Christian needs to see that “Nothing can separate” him from the Love of God! New Joe Christian needs to grow to understand that there is “now therefore NO condemnation” for him!
As new Joe Christian grows in this awareness and in His Peace and realizes His Amazing Love and Grace – his heart will overflow with gratitude!
Will some Joe Christians use this as an excuse to run wild? Will some see this as a license to do anything they want?
Yes of course some will- so what? That is not mine to judge or condemn but to Love them! Love them! And when I am done oh yea Love them some more!
The evidence of a mature Christian is not that they obey the law better- it’s that they are more loving and more patient and more gentle than new Joe Christian – this is the work of God in a person’s life!
Be the branch and let Him Be the vine – otherwise you are NOT about Christ but religion instead!