The church suffers when it operates from the flesh. By that I mean when the operation and organization are based on manpower it can look good; but not be of God. I’ve worked (and fear I still do at times) from the flesh base. It is easy to organize a group of teachers, design a worship service, and promote church ministries and activities. This can all be done from brainpower. This is the lazy way out as man is in control and man loves to be in control.
Yet, when Jesus was about to send his comrades into the entire world he told them to go to Jerusalem and wait. Waiting-to-get-going isn’t a man-thing. It’s a spirit-thing. Surely someone in the group could get the ball rolling now; not needing to wait. But the Spirit needed to be involved. The man-church fights the thought of the Spirit. He would rather control than let God run the show.
The only way one can be spiritual is by the Spirit; not the brand name nor the organization. The Carnal Church of Christ is withering and its basic recourse is to begin fighting and squabbling. Would such be man’s fruit or Spirit’s fruit? Love and patience and joy; these are spirituality. Carnal leadership lives in exasperation. Spiritual leadership lives in hope.
Church of Christ isn’t to be a denominational name. It should be the signal the Spirit of Christ leads the troops. Today there continues to be a need for conversion in the church. Just as some convert their electric utilities to solar, believers need to convert from confidence in the coattails of past church practices to the fresh fire of Holy Spirit leadership.
5 comments:
"Just as some convert their electric utilities to solar, believers need to convert from confidence in the coattails of past church practices to the fresh fire of Holy Spirit leadership."
What a great line...Thanks.
JC
Good post - I've thought a good deal about this subject too.
It's easy for me to focus on externals forgetting about the work of the Spirit and neglecting prayer.
This is a post that I will link to and quote. Thank you, Terry, for listening to the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD on these matters.
Atheists can form an organization. Holy Spirit of God forms organism. "Church of Christ" should be product not brand name.
A very good post and a needed reminder about our true source of power and motivation.
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