THE FLESH & LEAVES DIE...THE SPIRIT LIVES

It saddens me to see the condition of many churches today.  It wearies me to hear all of the would of, could of, and should ofs, and the ‘we’ve got a new and better way’ chatter.  It’s not that the people are insincere in their concern; it’s just that they are only producing more of the same ideas that past church reformers have said and done, since the church came into existence.  As Einstein said, “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is insanity.” 

As I am watching the final stages of life being demonstrated by my mother, it is changing my thoughts about dying.  Her flesh is decaying and will eventually turn to dust.  But her spirit is growing more and more brilliant and strong.  It is preparing itself for what ever journey it is about to embark on, that still remains a mystery to me.  But I can see it in her eyes that the transformation is happening, just as when I look at the Autumn leaves and know their journey and transformation is about to begin, when they reach their full beauty.  My ‘mother’ isn’t dying, just as the tree isn’t dying.  It makes me think that the ‘church’ isn’t dying; just its flesh and leaves.

The ‘church’ is all who receive and believe in the Ultimate Word of God, His Son, Jesus Christ.  This ‘church’ is nourished and protected by God forever; nothing and no one can destroy it.  Buildings will go; denominations will go; methods and doctrines will go.  But God’s Church will stand eternal because, He said, “I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  

It is not my job to try and figure out how to build…it’s my job to listen to God and do what He says.  It’s not our job to try and figure out how to build…it’s our job to listen to God and do what He says.  He will say what needs to be planted; He will say what needs to be pruned; He will show where the brinks are to be laid.  “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”  Unless the proper seed, the Word of God, is planted those who plant will labor in vain.

Whatever God builds; whatever God plants; that, and that alone will last throughout eternity.