Yesterday, I received a message on Facebook from CybeRanger recommending a podcast known as Growing in Grace.
In particular, I listened to the one entitled "When Joyful Christian Activities become Laws and Rules" and that really resonated with my spirit man.
I notice that Methodist churches tend to place lots of emphasis on "doing" rather than "being".
There is nothing wrong with this in itself. After all, Christians should be bearing good fruit. However, we should be focusing on the root and not the fruit. When we are rooted in Christ and firmly planted on the foundation of what our position in Christ is as a result of what He has done for us on the cross, then out of that overflow will be good works towards our fellow men.
If we instead focus on the fruit without first being established, then it becomes self-effort and whatever enthusiasm and passion that we initially may have will wear out over a period of time and we will experience burn-out.
I am reminded of a sermon that Ps Reuben preached last year entitled "To Be With Him". In that sermon, he recalls the time when he was still courting his then-girlfriend (now his wife). She likes White Rabbit candies, so he would give her some every now and then. He would also spend time talking to her on the phone.
However, there was no formulae such as "thou shalt give xx sweets each day" or "thou shalt talk xx hours each day"; he just went with the flow and enjoyed her company.
Similarly, our relationship with God should not be based on a set of rules and regulations such as "must pray 3 hours a day", or "must fast once a week". Rather, we enjoy an intimate relationship with Him and commune with Him anytime throughout the day. Otherwise, our Christian activities will degenerate into a set of laws and rules, and the joy of serving the LORD will not be sustainable.
Let's focus on the root, and God will cause the fruit to come forth in abundance. Amen?
2 comments:
hi Malcolm,
actually I think they dont know how the difference between DOING and BEING.
Hi, bro.
A BIG 'Amen!' to your sharing today. Just as Pastor Mark of NCC had once said, 'we are Christians - Christ BELIEVERS. So, we must first believe'. Believe the Good News which is represented in the complete work on The Cross. It is through this belief that we will bear good fruits for our Heavenly Abba which will bless others as well as ourselves.
We are called 'human beings' not 'human doings'. Let's be Abba's children IN CHRIST and not strive to earn Abba's love and favour by doing. Doing should only come AFTER we have a correct understanding of our standing as beloved sons (and daughters) in Abba's eyes. Only then, serving will become a real joy (not drag)...
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