Abiding = Fruitfulness

John 15:5
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. (NKJV)

We are always doing things, but are they anything really? How do we know if the things we do have any real value?

Anything we consider good, useful, or even a great blessing can be a whole lot of nothing in the end if not done in, through, and for Christ. The question we should ask is not is this thing or situation pleasurable or unpleasurable, but am I abiding in Christ as I walk through it?

Likewise, the things I consider least pleasurable, either disruptive to my plans or seemingly dull and  meaningless, can be accounted as fruitful just for the fact I am abiding in Him as I walk through it!

What seems like something is really nothing without Him, and what seems like nothing is something as I abide in Him and promised to bear fruit, not based on circumstances but by abiding in Him as He abides in me!

All glory is Christ's in all circumstances and I can experience the fruit of my relationship with Him in all circumstances.

Abiding = Fruitfulness

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Music for the Theologically Minded!

Link to another good Shai Linne song - http://5solas4claytongarner.blogspot.com/2011/04/good-theology-in-christian-rap-yes.html

Racism and justification by grace through faith are not compatible!

You must hate sin to love the sinner!

To hate the person who is sinning is easy and natural, because we don’t like how their sin effects us or others we car about. To hate sin and do whatever we can to expose and eliminate it, because of what it is doing to the sinner and others is love!

   

Another Dietrich Bonhoeffer Quote!

Regarding Jesus' call to follow Him as given to the rich young ruler, the apostles and anyone else who would hear His call!

"Only one thing was required in each case - to rely on Christ's word, and cling to it as offering greater security than all the securities in the world."

The Cost of Discipleship, pg. 79

Online discussion - Is there salvation outside the church?

I know what you’re probably asking, what do I mean by church? Do I mean the spiritual/supernatural "Body of Christ" which is made up of every born again believer for all time, often called the "universal" or "invisible" church" or do I mean the local gathering of believers for the purpose of worship, discipleship, prayer and ministry?

It seems obvious and beyond the need for explanation that the scriptures allow for no salvation outside the union with Christ by the Holy Spirit that makes up His universal church. By contrast it might sound shocking to suggest that salvation assumes or even necessitates participation in a local church fellowship. I would never hold that church membership/participation is the basis for our salvation, but rather affirm salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone!

However, with that said I would like to invite any reader of this blog to defend from scripture their view on the following questions:

1. In what ways, if any, is salvation (our new nature/identity in Christ) and participation in a local fellowship/church linked in scripture?

2. Is there any scriptural affirmation of true believers existing outside participation in a local fellowship/church?

3. How should the goals/methods of evangelism be impacted by the answers to questions one and two?

4. What specifically should be done for those who have professed faith and don't participate in a local fellowship/church? Consider separately those who would like to participate, but are unable due to physical limitations, transportation, etc. from those who are able, but either feel it is unnecessary or are unmotivated to participate?

I look forward to your biblically supported comments?