From: christlife@googlegroups.com
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:56:56 +0000
Subject: [ChristLife] Digest for christlife@googlegroups.com - 1
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Group: christlife@googlegroups.com
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- Action without vision [1 Update]
http://groups.google.com/group/christlife/t/8f2da1715636412f
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Topic: Action without vision
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/christlife/t/8f2da1715636412f
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From: Jacob <jninan@gmail.com>
Date: Jan 27 05:04PM -0800
Url: http://groups.google.com/group/christlife/msg/795c89c924ab388
Imagine an 'evangelist' leading a sinner through some steps which he
has been trained with, and then declaring that the sinner has now
become a child of God. Has he? Really?
The truth of the matter is that if this evangelist has gone through
his steps mechanically without understanding the spirit behind them,
and if he has not tried to convey the same spirit to the sinner, the
chances are that this man's 'conversion' is not genuine but just
another addition to the statistics. What has happened is that this
evangelist was just following a method without understanding or having
been gripped himself with its vision.
We see this happening many times in Christian work. A leader starts a
movement with a great vision inspired by God, and his people
'multiply' his activities and projects without catching his vision.
They follow the externals and complete many projects, which makes
everyone believe that great things have been accomplished for God, and
that these men are great leaders and achievers themselves. If these
projects were IT projects, for example, things would have been fine,
but when it comes to spiritual work, just following the externals
kills the whole purpose (2Co.3:6).
Jesus said that the harvest was plenty, but the labourers were few (Lk.
10:2). And labourers with vision, fewer! What shall we do? In the
absence of labourers without vision shall we try to do the best with
others? We cannot assume that they will automatically catch the
vision, but we need to make efforts to impart the vision to them from
the beginning itself.
Many preachers imitate 'great' preachers, following their style and
even gestures. But what is it we need to do? Isn't it imparting spirit
and life to those who hear us rather than impressing them with our
charisma, our knowledge, our 'profound' statements, etc., (Ep.4:29;1Ti.
4:16)?
This comes up even in parenting. If we assume that our children will
automatically catch our faith and vision just because they are growing
up in our home and we are taking them to church, we are making a
serious mistake. Don't we need to work with them from childhood,
prayerfully passing on our values, hopes, faith and vision to them?
Just telling them what to do is not enough, but 'why' they have to do
it becomes important especially as they grow into their teenage
years.
The fruit we expect from spiritual work is not to be in numbers, but
the spirit we have helped others to catch on. Why are we so eager to
replicate what someone else has done and to multiply his works? Isn't
it better to make one true disciple who loves the Lord and follows
Jesus than one thousand who only pay lip service to Him? Is it any
wonder that we end up with a lot of problems when we follow the latter
approach? Jesus worked with just 12 men and worked with them deeply.
What would have happened if He had only been preaching to the
multitudes, travelling from place to place? His 'movement' would have
died a natural death after He was no longer there.
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