It’s Simple: Stay Plugged In
Here's a memo to many of us, who at times just plain forget: We don't get to heaven by doing good things for others and the world. We can't earn brownie points with Jesus if we toil in selfless service. In fact, there is an argument that there really is no such thing as pure altruism, since, the theory goes, that any good done has a motive to make the giver feel better along the way.
My, that's an upbeat thought...
Yet, we are called to pour our lives into the life in which we find ourselves. One way to see this is as an outside-in versus an inside-out view of life with God.
The idea runs like this:
Outside-in living sees the opportunities to make a difference both as a way to justify our existence and to commend ourselves to God. We hope the acts done filter in and shine up what all might be a bit dark on the inside. God could not possibly turn away from the rewards of heaven and blessings on earth any well-behaved and frugal and dedicated servant. A bit of quid pro quo is at work here, where I work and I expect that he pays off, "gives to gets." So, like the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal, we work, always looking for the paycheck, when the father simply loves us for being his child. Over time this can feel overwhelmingly like a religious prison of performance.
Inside-out living stems from a continued growth in understanding of what has been done in us, and provides, like the old hymn says, "Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow." Good deeds and acts of service and investment in our world flow out of a heart that more and more wants the same things as Jesus wants. From a heart and mind that continue to be transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit comes eyes to see needs and willingness to try to meet them. As we go on in faith, the inside gets fuller and fuller of Jesus, the outside begins to resemble him more and more. There is nothing to earn because it is all ours. There is no risk in trying because we are secure in our future. This is freedom in Christ.
Inside-out living begins with abiding in Christ. Jesus teaches this as his last object lesson while the group walks from the upper room to the garden, where he would be arrested. Imagine him thinking, "This is my last shot to get them to see how it all fits together, what will stick?" They may have passed a vineyard on the way, and as his practice, he took something common as the object lesson. John 15:1-8 is where it can be found, but this slice captures this scene:
I am the true vine and my father is the farmer....I am the vine and you are the branches. If any person remains in me and I in them, they will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
As the farmer oversees and tends the vineyard by cleaning and pruning and supporting, the vine flourishes with deep roots. Branches spring from the vine and are the instruments to bring forth fruit, but only if plugged into the vine. Inside-out. From the heart of the Father, through the loving action of the Son, and the ongoing encouragement of the Spirit, as we stay tightly attached to Jesus we are becoming our best selves and as naturally as grapes grow, our lives will increase in good works that reflect what we say we believe.
I heard once that grapes are a result of excess life in the branches. Beyond growing and surviving, there is so much extra vitality that fruit naturally grows. A branche don't stress and strain to pop fruit, it simply lives out its design, and we all benefit. Also, this fruit looks like the vine to which it is attached. That means our fruit as we stay close to Jesus will resemble him. Talk about counter-culture! In our increasingly caustic and aggressive world, growing Jesus-like fruit will look way different from normal reactions to events.
So, from the inside, his life flows into us and overflows like grapes on a vine.
we serve because He sacrificially served
we give since he first gave so much
we seek out the lost just like he did with us
we love the unloved in the same way he loved us
Inside-out, where we take him at his word that he came "that they might have life, and have it to the full." Maybe this is what an abundant life looks like: So much of Jesus that it flows out of us to everyone around...like a fruitful branch on an established vine laden with grapes. And the Farmer walks the rows in the vineyard...and smiles.
Let's check our attachment to the Vine and see how our fruit is coming on. If either are lacking, check in with the Farmer and ask him to straighten things out.
It does no good to nail an unattached branch to the vine, there is no life-giving connection. But those branches that are an integral part of the vine share in the life of the vine.
Jerry Bridges
and a bit of music...
How about a funny for the road
A young boy came to Sunday school late. His teacher knew that he was usually very prompt and asked him if anything was wrong.
The boy replied that he was going to go fishing, but his dad told him that he needed to go to church.
The teacher was very impressed and asked the boy if his dad had explained to him why it was more important to go to church than to go fishing, to which the boy replied,
"Yes, Dad said he didn't have enough bait for both of us."
