Wednesday, October 24, 2012

October 25, 2012

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection....."
 
I believe that healthy local churches are the hope for our world. No other organization has more potential to positively transform people who can then be used by God to change marriages and families that God can then use to change schools and neighborhoods and businesses.
 
The example of this would be the Church in the Book of Acts. First, they "turned Jerusalem upside down" and then they changed the world despite the fierce opposition of the  powerful Roman Empire.
 
If we ever needed healthy local churches it is now!
 
What do I mean by a healthy church? In short, I mean a church that is guided by "mutual affection". There is nothing more powerful than a community of Christ-followers who commit to each other, "I'm going to love you to life!"
 
Love you to life? What does that mean?
 
What it means to me is I care as much about your spiritual welfare and growth as I do my own. Not only will I - "make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love" - but I will make every effort to encourage that growth in you!
 
Wouldn't a place that loved like that be powerful?
 
Wouldn't you love to belong to a place that loves like that?
 
Would you begin to love like that? Will you love someone to life?