Love of God and love of neighbor go hand in hand. The two ideas are different, but in a very real sense the same. John called anyone a liar who says they love God while hating a brother (1 John 4:20). If you want to know how deep your love of God is, look beyond church attendance. You don't have to track your minutes prayed or how many times you've opened the Bible. Look to those around you. How have you loved them?

Many of us wrongly assume this great focus on loving neighbor began with Jesus. The "God of the Old Testament" seems too violent to suggest such a thing. This commandment, though, didn't originate with Jesus. Remember, he called love of God and neighbor the greatest of God's commandments. So, the ethical treatment of other people has long been strongly tied to our faith and trust in God.

Take Psalm 15 as one more example.

The psalmists opens with an important question, asking God, "Who may abide in your tent" (Psalm 15:1)? Who is fortunate enough to enter? Holy and faithful enough to have the chance to be with God? In only a few verses, the psalmists lets us know. The answer, presumably, comes from the Lord. And notice what the answer is.

It's the person who does what is right and speaks the truth. There is no slander within them and they would never do evil to their friends. Their neighbors would never worry about shame coming from them. They give honest testimony about others--even if it doesn't help their own cause. Finally, they would never take advantage of anyone else.

These people, God says, "shall never be moved." They have God as their foundation. I assume their neighborly conduct persuades other people to help them as well.

To dwell with God isn't about having the right words. It isn't knowing proper spiritual etiquette. It's always been our willingness to rightly live in love of God and the people God loves.

Stay blessed...john

My church's leadership group is reading a book together. It's called 8 Virtues of Rapidly Growing Churches. We've begun to reflect on the authors' observations, which stem from their experiences with several growing churches. The first observation is that rapidly growing churches "believe in miracles and act accordingly."

Notice the two parts of that observation.

First, many Christians would affirm the reality of miracles. We serve an all-powerful God. Why wouldn't we? But it's the second part that takes more courage. Growing churches, apparently, make tough decisions and try new things. This willingness to risk comes with a deep trust in the miraculous power of God. Now, many pastors, church leaders and committed church goers also talk a lot about trust. But that trust often doesn't equate to a real willingness to change.

The authors offer this comment, particularly, about pastors. "They aren’t willing to make a hard, risk-taking move in order to do what they believe God is calling them to do. Instead they are looking for a solution that keeps people happy and maintains a roughly consensual stasis. They want to see the sea split without wading in up to their neck." 

In other words, they're not willing to push against the grain of resistance.

And does any other biblical story illustrate that more than Aaron and the golden calf? Remember that Moses trekked the mountain to talk with God. The people quickly grew impatient. Their attention turned to Aaron, Moses' brother. They directed him to "make gods" on their behalf. We get a sense Aaron knows the perverseness of what they want. After he collected their gold rings, fashioned an idol and built an altar, he declared, "Tomorrow shall be a festival to the Lord." Aaron may have tried to incorporate idol worship to godly worship. But he still knew their decision didn't honor God, and he went right along with it. He's the one that built the golden calf!

Could Aaron have changed their minds? Well, he could've at least challenged them. But he didn't. Now, he might've been as scared as they were. Whatever the case, we can say he was more willing to follow their lead than God's.

And how much does that observation apply to our churches today? If we want God's church to grow, not at all!

Stay blessed...john

Confession: I take caring for the sanctuary and church grounds more seriously than I let on. It bothers me to see props from last year's Christmas pageant laying around. There's always a room (or three) full of junk no one dares throw away. Used tissues in the pews. A disorganized and messy narthex. And may God forgive us for our church refrigerators.

Excellence isn't about what you have. It's about what you do with what you have. So, take care of your church facilities. It says something about what you think happens there. No, don't go overboard and prohibit ministry from happening--leave the youth group alone! But concern yourself with what message your level of care sends.

Now, is this really a discipleship issue? Maybe. Maybe not. It's certainly an exercise in gratitude. And didn't Jesus say something about being trusted with the little things (Luke 16:10)?

Stay blessed...john